Boys Will be Men Someday…
Of all the knowledge they have gained and the achievements they have earned, I am MOST proud of the human beings they are.
Graduation is just one week away for these young men! One of them started this school adventure with his brother, my son, and me five years ago. The other one started the year after, then the third one I’m graduating started two years ago. I have been by their side as they have grown, made mistakes, learned from their mistakes, succeeded, failed, and matured. I am proud of who they choose to be and honored that I have had the opportunity to be a part of their journey for so many years.
When each of these boys began this journey with me, I had the lyrics to “Simple Man” printed out and had them dissect them. We discussed the meaning of the lyrics and how they could apply them to their life. My first goal for each boy was to learn about God – to not only know who He is but KNOW Him. My other goals for these boys were to:
Continue the moral development that their parents had established.
Help each one understand WHO they were and embrace it; God doesn’t make mistakes, or make junk, so learn how to VALUE yourself.
Work diligently to understand HOW each one learned; there’s no correct or incorrect way. Some of us are visual learners, some auditory, etc. (I vividly remember one day when one of these boys stopped and stared. When I asked if he was ok, he said, “I’ve been in school since I was 5 and I’m a high schooler. I just realized at this moment how I learn. I’ve never been able to do what I just did”.)
Once each one understood how he learned, I expected them to advocate for themselves! Don’t make excuses- make it a priority to create the environment needed to learn.
Memorize, understand, and follow the 10 commandments
Learn life skills
Be accountable ALWAYS (In year two of school with me, one of the boys lied. When he realized he was caught, he became extremely defensive. I didn’t give that energy; I simply gave him his consequence and said we would discuss it later. Two days later he became so emotional that he asked to go for a walk and I allowed it. I went to find him when he didn’t return and he was crying insensately behind a horse trailer. He asked if I could just tell his dad so he could be whipped and we could move on. When I told him that wasn’t an option, he replied by saying, “I don’t like feeling like this. I have let you down and you don’t trust me. This sucks”. I replied, “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while. God gives you the ability to feel these emotions so you learn. So I’m doing to do you a favor and allow you to continue this landslide of emotions – NOT spare you from them - and you can do yourself a favor and learn what not to do again”. He told me months later how angry he was at the time and that now he understood the importance of what I did. He never lied to me again. He told me anything and everything he did wrong, purposely or accidentally. I have heard much more than I ever wanted to know. Recently, he had tears in his eyes when he told me that I will never understand how much he appreciates me. There is no greater gift he could give me.)
These boys can do math without a calculator. They can write sentences without a computer. They have a comprehensive understanding of their state’s history and their country’s history. These boys know and understand nutrition, even if they don’t abide by it. Need to know where to find a scripture in the bible? I assure you that they know how to find it. They know how to sew, cook, write in cursive, build, weld, maintain a vehicle, repair vehicles, balance a checkbook, write checks, pay bills, manage money, communicate, express emotions appropriately, be assertive, defend themselves (or someone else), care for babies, prevent pregnancy and diseases, manage conflict, explain the differences in the male and female brains, think critically, and so much more. They have been taught everything I taught at the college and MUCH more. I have made them uncomfortable more than I have made them comfortable because that’s where growth happens. Their bodies, minds, and character have been strengthened by daily push-ups.
Of all the knowledge they have gained and the achievements they have earned, I am MOST proud of the human beings they are. After all, what good is a high GPA or a high test score if you lack in character? My boys get an A+ in good character and that is the highest accomplishment I can think of. Congratulations guys!
Blessings to all, Amy Grieco
