Proud Parents

There was no time to write yesterday. We were busy celebrating DJ. He was chosen to receive a scholarship from The South Orange Maplewood Education Association. Every year, I attend the retirement dinner of teachers from the district where I work. Each year, they honor four students who receive a scholarship. This year, DJ was one of the lucky recipients. When his name was announced, hearing the cheers from the teachers in the room…he has had so many of them… was enough to bring tears to my eyes and when I glanced over at Dave, I noticed he was having a hard time holding them back as well.

DJ was that kid who “blossomed” late in life. This year has been filled with awards and accolades and we are just so proud of him.

We left the SOMEA dinner just in time to make it to the high school baseball awards dinner where all of the teams were honored, but especially the seniors. DJ didn’t play baseball for the team. He was the manager. He’s always been the kids that LOVES sports, but never quite good enough to play for the high school teams. This didn’t stop him from getting involved and he wound up receiving a varsity letter along with the rest of his teammates, once again to the cheers of the team.

DJ has really grown into a confident, strong adult and I cannot wait to see where this confidence takes him! I know we have a few months to go, but when I think of him going away to college, I am not as worried as I thought I might be.

As he stood in front of a room of hundreds of teachers yesterday, and thanked them for the scholarship, he didn’t stammer, he didn’t stumble over his words. He didn’t even seem nervous. I am thankful to the amazing teachers and coaches he has had the privilege of having in our district. They are a huge part of creating the person he is today and we will forever be grateful for them.