Silly Hats

Today is the day my youngest son graduates with his Master's degree in Urban Planning. He will wear a funny hat and a gown. He can now officially move from one stage of his life into another with praise and an excellent standing academically.
He had exceeded all expectations of him!

I was told that there was something wrong with him when he was a tiny child in school. I kept looking at him to try and figure out what the problem was. He seemed normal to me. He could read before school, could play with computers and build enormous structures which contained transportation systems and financial districts and places for kids to play. He was affectionate and expressive at home.

I insisted that he be evaluated. The teacher was very smug with me and told me it was best to identify the problem areas. Low income kids had many challenges and she wanted him placed in a class for "those kids". We hit a wall in our communication.

A wonderful psychologist took his case and discovered that he was a "gifted " child in an understimulated environment. She told the teacher that the problem was hers for not identifying and using my Brendan's gifts. Brendan was never treated the same again at school. He was treated as if he was a gift to the classroom.

I have often wondered why our education system squanders so many of our children's gifts. Why do so many go unrecognized? I firmly believe in public education and have worked as a parent advocate and have run for office to improve school programs for inner city children. The majority of the children whose parents worked with me have become successful adults. Despite the fact that they were from poor families. Like Brendan.

Education doesn't come easy or cheap. But it takes so little to motivate children and to keep them engaged. Sometimes it even takes a little dragging, kicking and screaming. But in the long run it doesn't take much.

I am happy to say that all of my children are successful in different ways. It took awhile to see that but they have each shown their own gifts. Stephen became the youngest paramedic in the province who now supervises others at infant life support, Chris has been a Yukon squatter, a demonstration snowboarder and avalance rescue specialist, a radio announcer and now a builder of beautiful log homes, Dane is a recorded musician and a student at the University of Winnipeg. He works with the "lost boys" of Africa and studies things like international diplomacy. Brendan has now qualified to plan our cities to become more sustainable and livable places. He is twenty five and has already worked in New York and China.

I love my kids and step kids. It has really taken so little for them to get here. A little encouragement, a little love, a little respect. They are all resilient, accomplished and gifted.

Today we celebrate Brendan in his funny cap and gown. We will make a toast and recognize children's gifts everywhere!