The Parent Speech, A mom's perspective

We chose to Home school our two sons for the past 9 years. 4 of those years it was both Kyle and Jake. We graduated our oldest son in 2009. At that time he went off to college and we then just had our Jake here and going into High school. We decided to continue on the Home school journey for him and did a lot of research in our community for a good umbrella school to have him join for classes and social opportunities that he would thrive on. Our school board put out an email early in my son's Senior year that we will be needing to write a "parent speech" in a couple months for the Graduation Ceremony in June. My first response was 'yay, I can't wait to stand up there and share in 200 words or less the many special things about my son and the  amazing qualities and skills my son Jake possesses!" The months role on and the time comes for those speeches to be written and due for review and submission. I typed mine up and saving just enough words in the count for my husband to type up his also. I do have so much good to share and seriously love to brag about my 2 sons.
After writing my portion out I read it out loud before emailing it to the school, I decided to read it myself first, I couldn't get through the first sentence without getting all choked up and teary eyed, at this point I knew I was in trouble for not sounding like a babbling fool in front of hundreds soon. I will now most likely have my husband read my speech! (sniff, sniff)
Here it is, 2 weeks away from the ceremony and I will bid farewell to the past 9 years of Independent Learning, (Homeschooling) my 2 awesome sons, it's been a wonderful experience, a sacrificial joy, a learning journey and so much more. I will miss it, cherish it, always promote it. Most of all I am grateful to the Lord for placing me in this full-time ministry for the past decade, my full-time job that I am not asking to quit, resign or retire. It is just happening to me without my permission. I love you son! As you wait on the college acceptance letter you are hoping for, I know whatever or where ever you choose to go, you will thrive, grow, leap, high and far! Congratulations on all your accomplishments, hard work and perseverance. YOU DID IT!!

My Mom Speech

"Jacob, since the first day you were born, I honestly can say you changed my life for the better. Your joy is contagious and I have always loved your positive outlook on life. You find the best in life’s circumstances and in everyone around you. I love many qualities about you. You don’t like to give up, you’re integrity is a role model. You always strive to put Christ first; you are a man of principle, character and you stand on your values. You are a loving, compassionate, courageous, smart, funny, strong, inspirational young man. Jacob, I love you so much."