A Tribute to Peter. – May 30, 2011

This is my son, Peter. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island a couple of weeks ago. And as you can tell by the look on his face he was one happy camper. His mom and I are quite happy and proud of him as well.

Pete is heading into the field of teaching, secondary education, math. He really likes that middle school/junior high age. Yes, some may say he’s crazy, but I know he’ll really connect that with age group.

He also has a great creative sense. He loves to draw and is having fun experimenting with graphics and silkscreen printing.

So why this nice little story here in my “Food for Thought” section? Well, here’s what I’ve been thinking…

In Peter’s earlier years I, like many parents, did my share of pushing him in directions that I thought was best for him. Somewhere along the journey to growing up (me as well as Pete) I had one of those epiphanies. I saw the need to step back and let Pete be Pete. I learned to appreciate his own uniqueness. Yeah he has a bit of his mother and me in his personality, but he is his own person. So I learned to let go of the pushing and attempts to mold him into some little me (man, that would be such a bad idea anyway!).

There is this verse in Proverbs that says, “Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.” That’s not about teaching your kid to follow the way you are, but the the way he or she is created… encouraging them with the inherent talents and abilities they have and helping them to grow in them. No pushing, no molding, no forcing ourselves and our ways on them.

I believe that God has made each of us with unique characteristics, abilities, gifts and personalities. We are uniquely created in His image. Why spoil a good thing?!

To Peter, my son, all my love and best wishes for a wonderful and wonder-filled future. And to all the grads and parents of grads of 2011, the very best to you.