We reached another milestone as parents on April 27. Our son Daniel graduated from Eastern Michigan University with his bachelor’s degree, majoring in Marketing. While we celebrate and continue to bask in the glory of his successes, it seems like yesterday that he got on the school bus and began his public school education. All too clearly I can remember the stubborn difficulties he presented at kindergarten round-up declaring “I don’t have any” when asked to name his body parts. And, being slightly scolded at his first parent-teacher conference in kindergarten that ‘Dan doesn’t color in the lines’. He also liked to run in the school hallways rather than walk and as he grew and maneuvered through those succeeding years he continued to challenge his teachers and us.

No, Dan didn’t color in the lines but he did like to draw. Not sharing the names of his body parts gave way to his becoming a modest young man, one who has often kept his thoughts and feelings private except in the face of fierce competition or deep loss. He also used his ‘speed’ to his advantage as an accomplished athlete from the time he could join organized sports teams. Football was his favorite and as a family we never tired from watching him. Admittedly, I miss those days and often secretly wish he could have played at college level.

Dan is also very loyal and we marvel at the many close friendships he still maintains with young men and women that were in school with him. He has chosen solid relationships well and continues to live an adventurous life surrounded by some pretty neat individuals. One of his best buddies Michael is serving in the United States Air Force, has lived in several states and Dan has been able to take the time and energy to visit. He’s very proud of his friend’s own accomplishments with his military career.

Dan’s degree is in Marketing. Several weeks before his graduation commencement was approaching he was home for an overnight visit and I asked him his plans career-wise. His response was “I’d like a sales position. Mom, I can talk a cat off a salmon truck”. How I laughed and secretly smiled on the inside. He’s so much like his grandpa, my dad. Quiet. Reserved. Witty. All at proper timing too I might add.

The characteristic that I most admire about Dan is his love for family and a caring, sensitive spirit in great times of need. I have several most memorable moments of him exhibiting deep compassion whether in his body language or a few well spoken words. I won’t be sharing those in this blog; those are matters of the heart for me and out of respect for his humility and not enjoying ‘public revelation’ they will remain in the vault of the place I call “a mother’s heart”.

Yes, my youngest child has reached a major milestone in his life. He is now the holder of a college degree, one in which he made all the decisions to pursue, relying on his own searchings and mentoring advice along the way. He worked hard, stayed the course, and never complained except when questioning the validity of several required courses. I’m glad he never ‘colored in the lines’ or ‘always ran versus walking’ because doing so showed me that my son isn’t afraid to be an individual, then or now. I’m proud that he respects proper authority, yet isn’t afraid to question those above him. After all, isn’t that how we learn?

So, Dan’s milestone marker is positioned and solidly in place–April 2014–College Graduate. It’s situated along the path of his life, waiting for his footsteps to make more impressions as he continues the journey of his life. Similar to the years that he played football, I will be on the sidelines cheering him on to victory and encouraging him on the days that defeat or setbacks weave themselves into his circumstances. Most importantly, I will be praying for the next milestone to come into view as he navigates the next part of his road.