On Sunday, May 17, at 2 pm, the Minooka Community High School Class of 2009 Commencement Ceremony will, well, commence. Now while it's true this happens every year, this one is kinda special for me. After all, it is not every year that I actually get to attend and watch the first born son don the mortarboard.
I remember so very clearly a conversation I had at my Grandma Mae's house many years ago. Jonathon was sleeping in the crook of my arm, and I was enjoying a cup of tea with Grandma Mae and Aunt Marg at the kitchen table. 'Cuz you know, that's just what you did at Gram's kitchen table. Tea and shortbread cookies. But not Salerno's, because someone knew someone who was related to someone else who worked at Salerno's and had behaved quite badly, so they boycotted them. Or some such thing. I don't remember the details, although it was quite the scandal in Gram's world, let me tell you. So no Salerno's for us. But I digress.
Gram said, "Now, Lor, you've got to remember to enjoy each and every moment with him because you are going to blink your eyes and he'll be graduating from high school." And sure enough, I nodded and I agreed. Time's going to go fast and you have to appreciate each day. Yes, maam, I sure will. Intellectually, I understood what she was saying. But honestly. Who knew it really would go by in the blink of an eye? When you're in the midst of diapers and preschool and grades and soccer and adolescence and driving and prom, who's got time to appreciate each day :) ?
A few of my favorite observations about the medium man 
** When he was five, I went to check him out in action at school. There was a two way mirror and he did not know I was there. As I watched, two other boys were teasing a third and playing keep-a-way with his hat. Jonathon saw what was going on, went up to the boy, retrieved the hat - to this day, I wish I knew what he said - and returned it to the third boy. The smile he got in return still warms my heart.
** I have always admired his ability to identify friends who are, shall we say, less than healthy for him. It doesn't take long for him to move on. Consequently, he has surrounded himself with wonderful kids who are good friends to him. And he gives as good as he gets. I think that rocks. Now there's a life skill you can't buy.
** When he was in 4th grade, he decided he wanted to go to U of I. When he joined the wrestling team, he made it a goal of his to make the varsity squad. That is no small feat at Minooka. When he started lifting, he decided to become a personal trainer in addition to his regular studies, and he will. He knows what he wants and is willing to work to make it happen.
** Still, while he's got a work ethic that won't quit, he is incredibly balanced. School, work, sports, chores, friends, service. He made it all happen, on his own, in a way that I respect. And marvel at a little, if you want to know the truth.
** When he was a freshman, he served as a small group leader in AdventureLand with 4th and 5th grade boys. They can be a challenging age and that group certainly was. But he really knew how to zone in and relate to them. Once he was describing why you can trust God, "It's like this. God's got your back." I love that.
** He's had his moments of disappointment and discouragement. But he learns from his mistakes. He allows difficult circumstances to grow him rather than turn him bitter. It's the hardest thing - ever - to hold your child and know you can't do a thing for him. Except hold him and pray hard.
I love you, Jonathon. You've made me laugh way more often than you've made me cry. I know you don't understand what that means to a parent, but someday when you have kids of your own, you will.
Can't wait to see what God has planned for you. Because, you know, it's like this. He's got your back.
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