My husband and I are very proud of all our children. They are sweet, and talented, and engaging… and frustrating, and messy, and exasperating… I think all parents try to strike a balance of viewing their child in the moment, while trying to imagine the possibilities that lay before them.
Conner asked his High School Principal for a reference letter. What follows is nothing short of poetry. This isn’t a simple letter of recommendation – it’s quite possibly the most beautiful description of my child I have ever heard. This letter had me in tears. (Quite literally. I cried.)
This is the stuff that makes for motivational graduation speeches. This is the stuff that a parent thinks about their child but isn’t necessarily capable of articulating. This is the stuff that makes you actually see your child with a bit more clarity and appreciation for him.
As his mother, my assumption is that I already see and appreciate all of Conner’s amazing qualities and the little things that make him special… in other words, you probably can’t tell me anything about my son that I don’t already know. This letter not only reaffirmed that Conner is a great kid, it allowed me to view him with a fresh set of eyes and to realize that “jumping into a massive pile of leaves” might be messy, but it is a necessary part of Conner’s process, and that the “scraped knees” that he gets are part of his journey.
Conner (and Devin, and Mitch and Grant) are all going to go through their own processes on their own journeys, and I should watch it all with wonderment and awe as they do it. I am profoundly grateful for the Dr. Arnolds of this world who take the time to support, encourage and nurture our children.
This beautiful letter? It’s getting framed and going up on a wall. Thank you, Dr. Arnold, for this lovely description of one of my favorite human beings.
Well I’m a little teary myself at that! What a beautifully written letter and what a wonderful description of Conner. I don’t blame you for framing it – I’d do the same!
The fact that a busy principal of a school that has about 3,000 students would be able to take the time and write something so wonderful about a single student blows my mind!
I’m teary eyed reading this. What a beautiful letter and tribute. Wow. Just wow. Be proud, Mama. He’s an awesome kid.
Thank you so much Karen! I am blown away by such a beautiful letter!
WOW, Viv! That is simply beautiful! I LOVE this…and moreover, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that a high school principal turned something that’s so normally boring & “cookie cutter” into a descriptive, poetic description of your son! Simply awesome!
What a wonderful portrayal of your son! He has evidently left an impression on this Dr Arnold that will be life long! He sees the potential in your son to make other life altering changes! What a proud documented account of the son you have raise! BE PROUD! 🙂 Best of luck to Connor on his future endeavors!! May he touch more lives like he has his principal.
Wow. I don’t know your son but this letter makes him sound very special. And by doing that it makes the author sound special as well. Kudos to both.
You must have done something right?
But seriously, you have to be so proud. It’s a testament to your and R’s great parenting! You are putting an awesome adult out into the world, and that’s the whole point 😀
congratulations to Conner. I am also a bit in awe of the principal’s beautiful writing and keen perception of a single student’s qualities. How fortunate the entire student body is. His coworkers must really appreciate him also.