Whooda Thunk?

Thomas Austin Lucas

Kindergarten

"Hey, Mom? I'm an official college freshman now."

"What does that mean?"

"Well, I have my books, and I have my parking sticker."

When that picture was taken, what made him official was a fresh box of crayons (is there any other smell quite that wonderful?) and a new lunchbox.

This moment feels different that the one I experienced when we sent Luke off to school, and not just because of the difference in the first being gone and the last one going.

What is so electric about this moment is that what it took for him to get to this place was such a ride that caught us always surprised.

Kindergarten: "Mrs. Lucas? We believe your son needs to be tested for learning disabilities."

First Grade: "Mrs. Lucas? Thomas cannot read, so he's being placed in a special education group."

Second Grade: "Mrs. Lucas? I think you seriously need to consider hiring outside help for your son. Beyond the sight word list, he is illiterate."

Third Grade: Mrs. Lucas? I believe Thomas has an amazing gift of empathy, and I am really looking forward to helping him -- but can we have him repeat second grade? I believe this boy could do with some success."

And so it went. My gratitude to the teacher who saw Thomas as a person of potential instead of a person of problems is undying. It changed the way he felt about himself, and although school continued to be a problem for him throughout his "career," where others had doubts he never did.

I don't know when or how he developed such a sure sense of himself, but it has been amazing to watch. Growing up in the shadow of an older sibling who was a "golden boy" is supremely difficult, and I know this because I grew up in a double shadow. Both my brothers were (and are) brilliant and talented. And let's not even talk about the shadow my sister cast -- she was pretty, and popular, where I was frumpy and decidedly not popular. I was the brooder.

But Thomas carved out his own talents in his own way, and I cannot wait to see where this young man goes.

And my heart bursts open and pours forth pride and an occasional tear while I watch.