And no sarcasm intended. Since you already know all about my parenting woes, I'm gonna surprise you and tell you about a couple of the joys.
The first one came about a few weeks ago when Adrian brought home a survey from work. He is a Team Leader at the local Magna plant, and as such he is subject to "leadership evaluations". The group that reports directly to Adrian scored him in 13 different categories. Four is a perfect score. Adrian's average....3.6!!! My personal favourite. "I enjoy working with my Team Leader...3.9!!!
That's my boy!
The second came about today when Michael shared with me the teaching evaluations that his students completed on the Statistics course he taught last semester at the university. Bare in mind that Stats courses are a mandatory and generally hated part of all Sociology programs. Unlike Adrian's situation, these evaluations are not mandatory, and yet 47 of the 61 enrolled students filled one out. The students evaluated Michael in 16 different areas with a perfect score in each area being 7. Michaels average....6.2!! They also had an opportunity to add comments, and I would share them all with you except if would leave me crying.....again! I give you at least my favourite. "Professor Rooyakkers is incredibly enthusiastic and genuine. He seems truly interested in the success of his students, and it has been a pleasure to be taught by him".
That's my boy!
I think the most rewarding part of these results was that they both immediately shared them with me. Not just that, but I got a clear sense of their personal pride in their accomplishments. Makes a Daddy glow!
It also occurs to me that they learned lots of things despite my parenting. Their success, in both cases, is really about relationships, and certainly that has not been my strong suit over the years. But I don't care, and I don't feel any less because they may have learned good things from their mother, or their extended family, or their teachers or peers. I'm still proud!
They're my boys!!
As promised I did a longish run/walk today, but I left it at 20 kms cause I was still a bit tired. I'm getting better at that.
run/walk 20 kms, 2:12
"He only half dies who leaves an image of himself in his sons."---Carlo Goldoni
Love
Peter
The first one came about a few weeks ago when Adrian brought home a survey from work. He is a Team Leader at the local Magna plant, and as such he is subject to "leadership evaluations". The group that reports directly to Adrian scored him in 13 different categories. Four is a perfect score. Adrian's average....3.6!!! My personal favourite. "I enjoy working with my Team Leader...3.9!!!
That's my boy!
The second came about today when Michael shared with me the teaching evaluations that his students completed on the Statistics course he taught last semester at the university. Bare in mind that Stats courses are a mandatory and generally hated part of all Sociology programs. Unlike Adrian's situation, these evaluations are not mandatory, and yet 47 of the 61 enrolled students filled one out. The students evaluated Michael in 16 different areas with a perfect score in each area being 7. Michaels average....6.2!! They also had an opportunity to add comments, and I would share them all with you except if would leave me crying.....again! I give you at least my favourite. "Professor Rooyakkers is incredibly enthusiastic and genuine. He seems truly interested in the success of his students, and it has been a pleasure to be taught by him".
That's my boy!
I think the most rewarding part of these results was that they both immediately shared them with me. Not just that, but I got a clear sense of their personal pride in their accomplishments. Makes a Daddy glow!
It also occurs to me that they learned lots of things despite my parenting. Their success, in both cases, is really about relationships, and certainly that has not been my strong suit over the years. But I don't care, and I don't feel any less because they may have learned good things from their mother, or their extended family, or their teachers or peers. I'm still proud!
They're my boys!!
As promised I did a longish run/walk today, but I left it at 20 kms cause I was still a bit tired. I'm getting better at that.
run/walk 20 kms, 2:12
"He only half dies who leaves an image of himself in his sons."---Carlo Goldoni
Love
Peter
I love this post, Pete. Your boys are all 4 amazing young men in their own ways and I'm celebrating that you got to share and revel in their accomplishments. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou done real good with them boys! Thanks for letting one of them be part of my life.
ReplyDeleteLove, gail
I've learned lots of things *because* of your parenting! I'm certain Adrian, Jonathan, and Peter would all agree with me. In fact, I know they do, because the four of us have had this conversation before. I've learned a lot about relationships from you, and how to value people for being people, and to develop those relationships in professional settings too. I remember something as small as having a good, firm hand shake!
ReplyDeleteLove you lots!
Michael
Awesome! They're not my boys but I'm proud too. I wish I knew them better. You go right ahead and cry Pete, I did a little
ReplyDelete