Well Done.

September 25, 1995. Bubba's first day of Kindergarten. It was well in to September as he was to be attending a brand new school. Something called a Charter school. Publicly funded, but run more privately. We walked him up to the door of a portable building in a dirt field. No playground equipment, no paved parking lot. Through the 9 years he spent at that school many things changed. Including him, of course. He changed from a 5 year old sweet boy with boundless energy to a surly 13 year old who thought we were the stupidest people ever born! He graduated 8th grade in a class of 38 kids. And made a transition to a high school of 1700 kids. I know it was overwhelming for him. It took him some time to get acclimated. But he made friends, got involved and now is having a hard time being ready to leave the comfort and safety of this place he's spent the last four years.

No one ever tells you that as a parent you will be as invested in your child's schooling and life as they are. That every bump in the road is felt by you as well as them. That your heart will be battered and bruised by this parenting adventure. That the roller coaster of emotion you can feel about and for the same child will make you feel bi-polar! Every joy is also your joy. Every heartache is also your heartache. Every accomplishment is won by the family, because as a family we feel each other's triumphs and sorrows.

I don't know what the future holds for him. I don't think he knows what he wants it to hold yet. But I know one thing. We are proud beyond words of this boy who is becoming a man. He did it. And so did we.