My third son was born into a busy home and busy life. Two jobs, two older brothers, many extended family members, and lots of activity greeted Sean upon his birth. My husband and I were delighted to welcome this little ball of sunshine who was literally born sunny-side up.
Sean has been a typically happy and agreeable individual who has enjoyed helping others, playing sports, and engaging in social and school events. He's truly a likable guy, and I must say I envy the ease with which he meets life as he's rarely stressed or worried, and he genuinely enjoys the people around him wherever he is.
Since he was a little boy, he's had to live up to the expectations of his older brothers, Matt and Ryan. So Sean was swimming, hiking, biking, competing in triathlons, and going on family adventures at a very early age. In fact his first trip was to Mexico at age three months as my husband celebrated a milestone birthday. Later he traveled with all of us to the southwest, midwest, west coast, and the family's all time favorite trip to Brazil to celebrate a cousin's first birthday.
Since Sean was born into a busy house, we often relied on the many, many people in the community to care for and direct Sean. He had awesome daycare experiences at Next Generation and Longfellow Health Club. Later he attended Happy Hollow School and was tremendously cared for by the many teachers he had including Ms. Horgan, Ms. Powers, Ms. Moynihan, Mr. Gees, and Ms. Mattson. He also had Ms. Aikers who is retired and a lovely kindergarten teacher who left the school system when Sean moved to first grade. Sean was lovingly cared for by his many, many before- and after-school teachers including Kathy and Connie, and the many staff members, teaching assistants, specialists, and administrators there too. Later when he moved to the Middle School, he also had tremendous care from many dedicated teachers, counselors, coaches, assistants, and administrators and after that he enjoyed a similar experience at the high school. Extracurricular activities included countless sports activities and summer camps and terrific, caring, and talented coaches who dedicated hours to Sean and his friends and teammates.
Sean was born into a large loving family too. He has many cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents who have doted on him throughout the years, and has enjoyed many great adventures in addition to travel, adventures that mostly included great hikes, bike rides, and beach days. In the neighborhood, he had a very good friend next door and neighbors and friends' families who always treated him like one of their own.
As I think about Sean, I realize that he's been blessed to be loved by so many throughout his life--it's the kind of experience that I wish for every person born into this world. As his mom, I am so grateful for all the love and care he has received from so many and hope that he will be able to pay that forward in his life as he embarks on college studies and swimming.
So how do you celebrate someone who has been so loved at his high school graduation. We invited close family and friends to a celebration at our home the day of his graduation and we're funding his college adventure--a pricy gift these days as most parents of college students know. We also hope to be there for Sean in the days ahead--days that my husband and I fondly remember as some of our best because college days are days of tremendous learning and new experiences.
At this time of celebration, gratitude is my overwhelming emotion. I only hope that I can be as loving to others as so many have been to Sean. Onward.
Sean has been a typically happy and agreeable individual who has enjoyed helping others, playing sports, and engaging in social and school events. He's truly a likable guy, and I must say I envy the ease with which he meets life as he's rarely stressed or worried, and he genuinely enjoys the people around him wherever he is.
Since he was a little boy, he's had to live up to the expectations of his older brothers, Matt and Ryan. So Sean was swimming, hiking, biking, competing in triathlons, and going on family adventures at a very early age. In fact his first trip was to Mexico at age three months as my husband celebrated a milestone birthday. Later he traveled with all of us to the southwest, midwest, west coast, and the family's all time favorite trip to Brazil to celebrate a cousin's first birthday.
Since Sean was born into a busy house, we often relied on the many, many people in the community to care for and direct Sean. He had awesome daycare experiences at Next Generation and Longfellow Health Club. Later he attended Happy Hollow School and was tremendously cared for by the many teachers he had including Ms. Horgan, Ms. Powers, Ms. Moynihan, Mr. Gees, and Ms. Mattson. He also had Ms. Aikers who is retired and a lovely kindergarten teacher who left the school system when Sean moved to first grade. Sean was lovingly cared for by his many, many before- and after-school teachers including Kathy and Connie, and the many staff members, teaching assistants, specialists, and administrators there too. Later when he moved to the Middle School, he also had tremendous care from many dedicated teachers, counselors, coaches, assistants, and administrators and after that he enjoyed a similar experience at the high school. Extracurricular activities included countless sports activities and summer camps and terrific, caring, and talented coaches who dedicated hours to Sean and his friends and teammates.
Sean was born into a large loving family too. He has many cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents who have doted on him throughout the years, and has enjoyed many great adventures in addition to travel, adventures that mostly included great hikes, bike rides, and beach days. In the neighborhood, he had a very good friend next door and neighbors and friends' families who always treated him like one of their own.
As I think about Sean, I realize that he's been blessed to be loved by so many throughout his life--it's the kind of experience that I wish for every person born into this world. As his mom, I am so grateful for all the love and care he has received from so many and hope that he will be able to pay that forward in his life as he embarks on college studies and swimming.
So how do you celebrate someone who has been so loved at his high school graduation. We invited close family and friends to a celebration at our home the day of his graduation and we're funding his college adventure--a pricy gift these days as most parents of college students know. We also hope to be there for Sean in the days ahead--days that my husband and I fondly remember as some of our best because college days are days of tremendous learning and new experiences.
At this time of celebration, gratitude is my overwhelming emotion. I only hope that I can be as loving to others as so many have been to Sean. Onward.