In a story for another day, we made the decision as a family to move our children from the school they had been attending since first grade to different schools. Yesterday was the day my daughter’s former basketball team had their senior recognition day, which we attended since these are young women who have been part of our lives for over a decade.
As part of senior recognition, parents write a brief statement – 150 words or fewer – and read it to their child in front of the audience in the gym. It broke my heart not to read it to my daughter there, so I will share it here:
Trying to summarize what an amazing human being your child is seems akin to trying to keep lightning in a bottle. My precious daughter, you are everything a parent could ask for and more. You are caring, compassionate, and forgiving. You are resilient. your moral conviction is an example to us all, and your strength is greater than even you realize. When your father and I look at you, and the person you are becoming, we are amazed that a couple of marginally competent parents could have produced such a breathtakingly lovely human being, inside and out. We love you, and are so, so proud of you. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. Your senior year in high school might not be all you thought it would be, but you are more of a blessing to your family and others than we ever dreamed you would be.
Master of None 