My great-nephew graduates from grammar school this Friday. It will mark an important transition for the young man. It is a big deal!
As I’ve mentioned here from time to time, I come from a small family. My mother, father, and sister are gone. My current “immediate” family is down to two nephews, one great-nephew—the putative graduate—and one great-niece. (Now in his mid-nineties, the nephews’ father remains in relatively good health. However, I feel like the default family patriarch at this late stage.)
For years it had been obvious to everyone that my great-nephew had a high degree of intelligence, so it did not surprise us when he won the overheated annual city-wide competition for a seat in one of the elite high schools. Despite this, based on my limited interactions with him and the occasional reports I’d receive from his dad, I have had serious concern that he might be a social misfit.
Seeking to break the ice, I’ve tried to make it a point this past year to spend more time with him, but this has not been easy. Today, I am comforted because while “[l]oners come in many varieties, some of them [are] perfectly healthy,” (see “The 5 Types of People Who Withdraw From Social Life,” by Bella Depaulo, Ph. D., Psychology Today (https://www.psychologytent oday.com/us/blog/living-single/201804/the-5-types-people-who-withdraw-social-life)) and I think he might be one. I have seen encouraging recent signs that he may be emerging from his shell. For example, I note my great-nephew has gotten more talkative and started to display a sharp, dry sense of humor.
I hope this recent show of self-confidence continues. Hopefully, as he gradually attains his independence, our relationship will deepen and grow stronger.
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The past year I enjoyed my first experience as a volunteer tutor. After a few initial fits and starts, I had the pleasure of working with a young lady in the fifth grade. I have written about this experience several times. Last week, we finished our school year.
Apart from her engaging personality, Zoey is an eager, bright student. At the start of the school year, her reported math score was better than her reading score. However, as measured by an end-of-year assessment, her reading markedly had improved. As I witnessed the improvement from week to week, I began to challenge Zoey with more difficult material. To her credit, she became even more engaged. By year’s end, Zoey had completed a first-ever independent research project on a topic of her choosing (cats) and written a well-organized, interesting piece about it that was featured in the tutoring program’s annual student publication.
Recently, I received a gratifying email from Zoey’s father thanking me for helping his daughter in her studies, which made my school year. Until now, our contact has been virtual via Zoom and email. However, on Saturday, I am attending the program’s end-of-year celebration where I finally will get to meet them both in person!
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It is perhaps ironic, but I suspect that Zoey is far more excited about our imminent meeting on Saturday than my great-nephew is about my attendance at his graduation ceremony this coming Friday. It is to be expected, I suppose. One takes family for granted. Respect and gratitude are earned.
