Graduation for Dylan

My son is no sloucher; this much is certain. He has scads of awards that reflect his endeavors:

letter from the prez and award




and the AP exams and the National Merit Commended Scholar!










and I didn't even put up his awards for piano.

Yes, he's all that. But "what is the measure of a man?"

His achievements are all well and good. I know I am extra-ordinarily lucky to have such a child. But that is not what I am most proud of: many years ago my step-son Adam asked me if it were more important to be smart or to be nice. My response was that it is nice to smart but it is smarter to be nice. Dylan struggles with this in his verbal repartee, but that is not an indication of his true nature.
His true nature is as it has always been: he likes to make people happy; he likes to make them laugh; he is ready to give them a hug when they cry; and I've never asked him for help that he didn't say yes. I also admire that he questions "truths" and "authority" and looks for the rational response. So, yes, Dylan is graduating tomorrow with many academic achievements under his belt, but he has also learned a lot about being an accountable, loving human being. That is the real education. Not to mention what I have learned in the process, and it is much. But that is for another post.