Just Getting Started

Today, I attended my last parent-teacher conference. TJ graduates in six weeks, which is all kinds of unbelievable. He’s ready. I’m not sure I will ever be! But I’m so,

so proud. I couldn’t help but remember my first parent-teacher conference, which was basically an ARD meeting. Topics of conversation were “recess is a great time for him to practice social skills,” “we’ll continue to work on his speech—his first goals will include making 3 word sentences,” and “we’ll encourage him to at least walk inside the gym.” At that time, any cavernous space—a gymnasium, a church sanctuary, or even a hardware store—would send him into a tailspin. Even if it was empty; it was more than just the sound.

But today! Today we heard, “TJ is such a joy to have in class—he participates, supports the other students, he works hard and takes pride in doing well . . . and he knows more about 80s’ music than most of the faculty combined!” They asked if he had decided whether to live on-campus for college next year or to commute from home.

That he has both options—he’s capable of living independently (at least “college” independently) and of driving himself back and forth, parking, and getting himself to class on his own—just floors me.

I’ve said this before and I’ll probably say it a hundred times more—I never would have imagined this day! He’s come so far and he’s just getting started!