He is Ready

We took Boy 1 to tour the high school he will be attending next year. It was an informal open house that offered an opportunity to meet teachers, learn about different academic programs, and see the sights.

It's not an impressive building. In fact, it's old, a bit dingy, and has the same kinds of clocks that the brand new schools had when I was in elementary school...it's that old.

Despite the water stains on the ceiling, it is a fantastic school. Academically rigorous with a good amount of variety allowing students to take classes where they can develop new interests. The faculty all spoke eagerly of what they teach and helped Boy 1 understand some of what his high school career might look like.

But the best part was watching Boy 1 navigate the experience. He and his friends spent most of the night, in true amoeba fashion, floating from table to table talking to various teachers and talking to each other. At times Boy 1 would break away from the gang to talk a little longer to the physics teacher or return to the Latin information table, always finding his way back to his friends.

As I watched, I knew in my heart he is ready. This once-upon-a-time-apron-string-holder has developed a clear sense of himself in relation to his world. He comfortably navigates the space between what he wants, what the group wants, and what the world offers and demands.

Boy 1 is certainly not impervious to peer pressure or the dangers of this world. He will, of course, make mistakes no matter how ready he is for this new challenge. But he is well-prepared to walk tall into the halls of high school and further flex his muscles of strength of character and independent thought.

And as I watched, I treasured it all up in my heart.