How can it be?

Dear Dad –

I have sat down to write you so many times over the past few months and I have even jotted down little notes on scraps of paper. However, I let something distract me or prioritized something else. Today though I am making time because time continues to just keep flying by. Today, May 22nd, is Dillon’s last day of high school. It seems like just the other day he was so excited to get on the bus and go to kindergarten. It seems like just the other day you were coming to McAlear for the Veteran’s Assembly, and we were both trying not to tear up. It seems like just the other day you were sitting in the stands at his tball games and wanting JJ, Lia, or I to want something from the concession stand so you could get food too. Today, I thought about you often as I wanted to call and tell you about the day. Instead, I sent a last day of school pic to Mom, JJ, and my great friend, Maureen. Maureen texted me back tears? pride? relief?. I responded to her and said I was thinking about the growth in Dillon even from the senior picture that was hanging on the wall behind him, which was taken in October, to today. I then began to think about how much this child has taught me. You know, Dad, the many talks I had with Dillon about his choices in school. You and I even talked about his similarities to you, and you encouraged me that things could be worse. You shared your stories about your “wise” choices in school, even from elementary years. Today, though Dad I thought about how Dillon never conformed and to that I should be proud. Dillon taught me that the road less traveled is yes, a little more of a struggle and more messy but in the end the life lessons he learned outweigh the easy road. Dillon taught me his value is not in his GPA but instead in values JJ and I have instilled in him. He might not have the highest SAT score, always remember the rules of sine, cosine, and tangent, or remember an adverb is to modify a verb; but he will try to make someone else smile every day. He will be there for a friend to encourage them when they have lost a loved one. He will thank a veteran for his/her service when he notices the shirt or hat they are wearing symbolizing that. He will stand up and let an elderly person have his seat when they don’t have one. He will hold a door open for someone trying to maneuver the door and their wheelchair. He will simply have a conversation with family members, family friends, coworkers, and sometimes even a stranger instead of just staring at his phone. He will work hard, get dirty, and not complain. He will literally work from sun up to sun down, and yes this has happened over the last month. This child who sometimes I just didn’t understand how his brain was working or maybe not working has made me one proud momma today. I think you would be proud Dad, and I often picture how the two of you could have worked together on projects. He is not the child who would make you tired from switching from one thing to another anymore. He has your attention to detail, your level eye, and of course a slight stubbornness. I am excited to see where his next chapter takes him. I just pray that I have taught Dillon as much as he has taught me in these last 13 years. I love you Dad and stay tuned for his next chapter.