My Son, The Troubadour

Last night was my son Max's Senior Dinner. I was kind of dreading what I imagined would be a boring and unhealthy dinner, so I decided not to cancel my plans to meet two of my dearest friends for a light dinner earlier that evening. 

I have a pretty low regard for this high school, which two of my children attended. For the last eight years, I have tried to convince my kids to transfer to a more challenging and creative high school, and even though my kids ultimately did not like the school, they chose to stay.

I sat a table with some friends and the speeches began. Teachers were assigned a student or two to give a short speech about. Many of the speeches were degrading; "Student X never went to class. It is a miracle that he is graduating. I can't believe the building is still standing." A few teachers got it right, though, and one of them was Max's Math teacher. Considering that Math is Max's worst subject, I was curious as to what this teacher would say. "Max failed the Math final, but he is a nice kid?" 

The Math teacher blew me away. He defined Max as the ultimate Troubadour, a renaissance man talented in music, art, acting, comedy. He cited specific examples as to how Max has come through for the school, in particular over Chanukah when the class went to entertain children with physical and mental challenges at a Children's Rehab Center. Max improvised and played guitar while the Math teacher played piano. A good time was had by all!

What warmed my heart is that Max was finally being recognized in school for his talents and his heart. He has often been misunderstood by his teachers. He has been labeled as defiant, disorganized, and lazy. I would say he was bored and discouraged. He is leaving the school with his head held high, his confidence in tact, and his future a bright star.

It is so important to me that our children be recognized and supported for what is positive and possible, not criticized for what they are not. People expand into their highest self, and are not motivated by negative judgments. 

Acknowledge a child today for the light you see in him/her. Help to spark their inner glow!