Last week Travis asked if I would help him with his English term paper. Being a college professor, I have written, read, and edited my share of term papers. For me, it is no big deal, an almost weekly task. But this was no ordinary term paper. This was a paper written by my brilliant, sweet son. I was THRILLED and to be honest somewhat nervous!
We spent three hours together debating each sentence, each adjective, and of course, each VERB! For you non-nerds out there, this is the geek version of heaven. Equate it to the first time a father teaches his son to throw a baseball or a mom proudly listens to a piano recital. This was my super bowl!
What emerged on paper from our editing marathon was a well-written, active-voice-rich, analysis of "Animal Farm" and its modern day implications. What emerged in my heart was a sense of pride in my boy, respect for his patience, intellect, and compassion. What a great night together.
Then, just when I thought I couldn't be more proud, a letter arrived in the mail.
WOW!!! A THANK YOU NOTE? What a special, special boy.
Travis earned a 196 out of 200 on the paper, a wink and a nod from his teacher, and the respect of his classmates. I earned a smile and a warmth in my heart that will not go away! If pride is a sin, then I plead GUILTY AS CHARGED!
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