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puzzle pieces

Monday, March 21, 2011

Finish Line

So I opened my mailbox late last week to find a Government of Alberta marked envelope.

Remember the test he was going to take- the Entrance Exam into college?
He passed.
Really passed.
A 90% pass.

When I opened that envelope and read his mark...(the teacher and principal of the 
school is allowed access to his mark 1st- right?)....
I burst into tears.
{And I never cry.}
In that moment, 12 years of teaching passed in front of my eyes.
His learning to read, teaching him his numbers and how to add and subtract, story after story, writing his curriculum for each month and lesson plans for the year....
It flew through my mind in a second, 
and that 90% was the Finish Line.

In that moment, the sense of completion I got was the same I feel at the end of a race.
It's over.
And we crossed that line!


Through all the aches, pains, breathlessness, hills and trail....
we ran and kept on running.
And actually made the Finish!

And I am so proud of you Bud!
~~~
Now....a  new race begins.
[And maybe part of the tears were because this next race - you do on your own.]

But I promise...I will be on the sidelines.....
your biggest cheerleader!

Race on my dear son. 
Race on!

21 comments:

Leontien said...

That is sooo sweet! And Congrats to the young man!
Leontien

A Prelude To... said...

WOW! You BOTH did great! Fantastic!! I can't imagine all the hard work put in by both of you to make this all come together. EXCELLENCE!!!!! Have a wonderful day :-)

Judy said...

Congratulations to the student and the teacher...That is a big accomplishment for you both.

TexWisGirl said...

I can only imagine how good you must feel for your OWN accomplishment in this finish, but also SO proud of your son! Fantastic!!! You are a winner!!!

Janie said...

Congratulations to your son and to you for being an excellent teacher all these years!

Pat Tillett said...

Congratulations! That is quite an accomplishement for each of you! I don't know how people can take on and accomplish such a long term and important project!

Eyeliquor 2 said...

Ah!! sweet!!
Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Rambling said...

Congratulations to both of you! He has a bright future ahead of him.

Nancy said...

Congrats Mom. You did good! :)

Michelle said...

Congrats to your son and to you too!!!

Rick said...

Great work by you and your son, Dawn ! What a payoff - beats the lottery any day because this was a joint accomplishment made through dedication, love, and lots of hard work !

Enjoy the moment !

Farm Girl said...

So cool! It only took twelve years to get your passing grade. :) Congratulations!!!! I really mean that, It is so special and you do sit down and cry and yes, you remember every milestone, from walking to the first word every single thing in a moment of time. Then you remember it was worth it!! Good job Momma!

Deb said...

your post really touched my heart....Good job Dawn...congrats to your son....my son is 27 and it just seems like yesterday he was learning to walk...now he has a son...

Hilary said...

Oh that's so touching.. and wonderful. Congrats to both of you!

LBB said...

Yay!!!!! Pat your self on the back too! SO VERY HAPPY for you guys :D

Jo said...

Dawn, you are such an amazing woman. You are so proud and encouraging and supportive of your children's next steps. Cheering them forward instead of holding them back. Way to go!

darlin said...

Wow! First of all a huge congratulations to your son! Way to go!

Second, hats off to his teacher, you did one heck of a job and you have plenty to be proud of!

Allison said...

A wonderful post on so many levels! Cheers to you both!

Out on the prairie said...

Very nice, I had already told you he would do fine.All of us have a person who made the educational difference in our lives and in his case it is also his Mom.Way to go Mom!

Anonymous said...

beautiful images. thanks

Jordanna said...

AWESOME!!! I teared up reading this too :)