Clearance from the Universe

Looking at this graduation announcement today evokes all the feels....

I spent the summer before Gabe's senior year of high school pushing him to look at colleges. ANY college. I didn't care where. I just wanted him to show some interest. Other kids were making college visits and sending in applications. My kid was stuck in neutral.

A vague "I guess I'll go into engineering or maybe finance somewhere" was the best I could get out of him.

Then one night at the dinner table a few weeks into his senior year, he looked at me and said, "I think I want to be a pilot."

And here we are today.

Getting ready to celebrate him graduating with honors from the top aviation university in the world.

In. The. World.

Job offer in hand. Next steps laid out.

Guess he wasn’t stuck in neutral after all - he was just waiting for clearance from the Universe.

It's a good reminder for us parents to show patience, to not stack our kids' accomplishments or goals or perceived lack thereof against others.

They'll all find their way. In their own time.