Shortly after
my son turned two, my wife and I received an informational flyer from the
Janesville School District via mail. The flyer listed some upcoming screening
dates for pre school aged children whom the parents felt may be experiencing
developmental difficulties, i.e.-'at risk' students.
After some
discussion with my spouse, I decided to take Eric over to the school for
testing. When I arrived that day, I explained that I was not there for an at
risk screening. Rather, I was there to gather more information on where Eric
fell when it came to intelligence, as he had been doing and saying things from
around his first birthday on that seemed very advanced to me. I emphasized that
I was not there to 'brag' or anything of the sort. I simply wanted to find out
if my son was advanced for his age because if so, I could use that information
to instruct him at an optimum level.
Eric tested out
at somewhere around a four and a half year old intelligence wise. I remember
driving home after that testing and talking with him while thinking:
'OK, so I'm not
crazy after all. Who knows, this kid may be going places in life one day.'
One day.
Eric is now
just a couple months short of his 18th birthday. About 20 minutes ago, he
accepted a scholarship to attend Purdue University come this August. He has
amazed me throughout his entire life, but it was that specific moment in time
back in 1999 that is stuck in my mind today. It was the first time I thought to
myself that he may be headed for great things in life.
This is an
emotional moment for me. I am proud of him beyond measure and yet, I don't want
him to go. I miss the child he used to be, yet I embrace the man he's become.
More
importantly though, that 'one day'..........has arrived.
