JanBeek

Gasp!

All of my son’s four children have been home schooled.  They are precious angels, sent to us from Heaven for sure! Unable to give birth to biological children, my dear son and his wife found adoption was their calling. It has not been an easy route, but parenting never is! All children come with “their own baggage” – but if we choose to adopt, sometimes the “baggage” – not of our own making – can be especially challenging. In the case of our two oldest grandchildren, their biological mother took drugs and drank alcohol while she carried them. As a result, some brain and physiological damage occurred. Overcoming some of the obstacles to learning has taken all the skill, love, talent, and patience the children and their adoptive parents could muster. My oldest granddaughter just graduated from high school. I was so proud of her as she prepared for and delivered her speech thanking her family, friends, and teachers for their love and support. Each graduate was asked to tell what they plan to do next with their life. Most told what college they would attend. When my granddaughter said, “I have applied to join the Navy,” there was an audible gasp in the audience. Hmmm…. why the gasp? Let’s think about our military. Let’s ask ourselves why – with all the perks it offers to our young people – many do not see it as a viable option. Traditional college is not for everyone. The Navy may be just the route my granddaughter needs in order to move forward with her life. Don’t gasp, folks. Applaud!!