Graduation

Two weekends ago I saw my son walk across the stage and accept his High School Diploma.  I swear it was just yesterday that I was teaching him to tie his shoes and ride his bike.  The time goes so fast but I enjoyed every moment of it.  

This is not my first rodeo since my oldest graduated two years ago and this will not be my last since my youngest will graduate in 3 years.  But I can honestly say that my sons graduation brought on all sorts of emotions that I was not expecting.  

Of course I was happy and proud, but I was also sad and nervous.  Let me explain the sad and nervous.  For 19 years part of my identify has been father and a big portion of my life was providing and taking care of my kids.  When my youngest graduates in a few years it will bring on a new season of my life. 

I know I will still be their dad but they won't need me then like they need me now. Heck, I am not sure how much they need me now.  (Even though  I do make a delicious bowl of cereal).   I can only hope that all the hard work my wife and I invested in our kids pays off and they grow up to be loving and responsible adults.  So far they are on the right track.  

As sad as I felt, the overwhelming emotion that kept coming up over and over is excitement.  Not excitement because he graduated but excitement over his future.  I am excited to see where he goes, who he chooses to fall in love with, and what he decides to do with his life.  

Just how I feel about my son I feel about all of my students.   I am excited about their futures.  I have been teaching long enough to know never to discount any students future and all of our students have seeds of greatness.  

It is that thought of who our students can become that helps me in dealing with my students during difficult times.  We all have seeds of greatness and yours and mine just might be to help and encourage the next generation.