A homeschool, high school graduation tribute.

 Next week is Sam’s homeschool, high school graduation ceremony.  The parents of each graduate have a two minutes or less to honor their graduate.  Here’s my speech and I have it at just under 2 minutes!

Not a lot of people know this, but Sam was born with a true knot in his umbilical cord. That means when he was a tiny baby inside of me, he made a loop and swam right through it! Yet while there could have been dire consequences, Sammy managed to survive his pre-natal period because he was willing to work with me instead of fighting and pulling his knot tighter. We were prenatal partners.

To my delight Sam, you have mostly remained that way – willing to study and do the work I gave you and not struggling against us too much. In that way Sam we were partners in your education too.

When you were just about ready to start kindergarten, Grandma moved in with us. As a retired school teacher of over 30 years, she was anxious to help with our homeschool, and so I mostly turned you over to her. I still smile at the thought of all the tales and shared experiences she gave you over the years. True she was a stickler for your English, math and social studies, but Sam the true education she gave you was in all of those little rabbit trails and stories she took you on, and in the example she set for you as a Catholic Christian. And in that way I think by living a good life and being successful in the truly important things in life, you will always be a tribute and give honor to your grandma’s memory.

I think your love of music and the use of your musical talent in service to the Lord can be attributed to your grandma as well. It has been a thrill for your father and me to watch that talent grow under the nurturing care of Mrs. Frey-Steward, Mr. Bachmann and Mrs. Porter.

As you graduate tonight Sam, you know that this is just the beginning of a lifelong road of learning. I hope our little Domestic Church has given you the tools to continue to grow and prosper wherever God sends you. Like young Samuel in the bible, may you always be willing and able to say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

Calvin’s tribute in 2008

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