Pride and Joy

Today is the day. This evening my son, the kid who struggled through elementary school, never fitting in, sometimes lucky to pass a class, saying to me nearly every day when I picked him up it was "the worst day of my life", will be inducted into the National Honor Society. To say that I am proud of him would be an understatement. You see, it wasn't until almost half way through sixth grade that we discovered Jason has a mild case of Aspberger's Syndrome -- which falls on the mild end of the autism spectrum. Once he was placed in the appropriate classroom setting he began to gain confidence and excel in his studies, which only seemed to drive him to excel even more. Before the end of that sixth grade year he was mainstreamed in all of his classes (he didn't like the stigma of being in even one 'special' class) and was consistently bringing home high marks on his report card. Before the end of junior high school he was taking nearly all honors classes, and consistently bringing home high marks on his report cards, making the honor roll each marking period and distinguished honor roll occasionally.

My son is now a junior in high school. He is taking all honors or AP classes, brings home high marks on his report card, does hundreds of hours of community service every year through the school and our church, tutors a couple of people in a variety of subjects, still finds time to take the dog for a walk and help his sisters with homework once in a while (if they ask nicely).

He is driven. Driven in a way that is a preview for great success, but humble, too. Nothing has ever come easy for my son. Things do not always automatically "click" for him, but he keeps at it until he gets it, which has made him a good tutor, he is patient and understanding. He recently studied for the PSATs, determined to get the best scores possible for him. He began this quest in the Spring and sprinted to the finish line by giving up almost every Saturday at the beginning of the school year in order to study in a small group doing pracitce tests -- all the while making time for his community service, his tutoring, and his responsibilites at home.

To say that he has determination is an understatement. To say that I am very proud is also an understatement. When they call his name tonight I know I will have tears. Tears of love and joy for this kid who has beat odds that would make a lesser young man give up the fight, tears of joy for all that he has accomplished so far and all that he still has to offer this world. And tears of pride and joy that this young man, with so much promise and compassion and determination, is my son. Congratulations, Jason.