Achievement

 The last week of the school year is often focused on THE REPORT CARD....... it is often anticipated with a mixture of anxiety and trepidation.   I am always very curious to read the comments as I am usually on top of how my kids are doing in school as the year progresses.

Both my kids came home with a handful of A's and B's......We are so proud of the way Lindsay made the transition to high school and all that that brings.  She went to McMath with only 1 classmate and has made SO many friends so quickly.  She wisely joined a team and got to know a whole lot of new girls.... and a whole lot about rugby!  And she also managed to make Honour Roll all 3 terms of Grade 8!  Wow - what a year and what a start to high school.

David had such a hard year at school and had to deal with so much and yet, in spite of all that "stuff", his smart and curious brain shone through.  I think he got 100% on every math test this year and I swear I have no idea where those genes come from!  Not me! The comments on his report card indicated that he showed integrity and dignity in a classroom that showed him neither which is such
a testament to who he is, not what work he does (or doesn't) produce.

And then there is Allan..... rocking the whole Adult Degree Completion Program.  Man, for a guy who endlessely complains about students hunting for marks he is sure on the hunt now....he is  so competitive....against himself....constantly trying to best his last mark.  I don't think he has had any less than 90% on anything yet.   And, as I predicted, the studying bug is biting and he is already talking about a Masters.  I always knew he was brilliant and now he has proved it to himself.

And speaking of achievement and brilliance...... I would like to introduce my little sister Dr. Jillian Gates PhD..... she successfully defended her PhD thesis today and completed a loooong journey to Drhood.  She did this while having babies 5 and 6 and is currently pregnant with baby 7, she moved from Alaska to Indiana and then back to Alaska, taught full-time in a special ed classroom......etc etc all with the help of her husband Russell (who also completed his degree this past year in the midst of all those things too - hats off to him) and her amazing children.  The last year has been a tough slog but she did it and I could not be prouder of her tenacity and determination and sheer work to make it this amazing milestone.  David was instructed to whoop and holler and hug her for me!!  There are so many PhD jokes Jill but I restrained myself to these......

 

The grades and letters and perfect assignments are all great but they tell just part of the story of who these amazing people are!

I am so proud of them all......

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty,
to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. 

This is the meaning of success."

Ralph Waldo Emerson