Yesterday I officially started working on my son's graduation gift for when he completes high school. Except that my son is only 5 years old right now. It is going to take me 12 years to finish this, but in the end I know my son will appreciate it (and yes, I am going to do this for each of my three kids). It has two parts to it.
The first part is the easy part. This was inspired by my friend Linda, who is doing this for her kids, too. I bought a hardcover copy of the Dr. Seuss book "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" (which just happened to be the 25th anniversary edition).
I know, it's cliche. Everyone buys this book for their graduate. But I looked for another book, one that said the same things and offered the same advice but still gave off the feel that you shouldn't grow up too quickly... and I really couldn't find one. I didn't want it to be a real novel, because I had more in store for him than just a few words of wisdom on a page. And so I kept coming back to this book, eventually deciding to buy it. But wait! There's more.
Every year, at the end of the year, I am going to take the book to my son's teachers. I am going to ask them to sign it, and to include some of their favorite memories with my child. At the beginning of his journey (which is now, in Kindergarten) I am also going to have his principal write something for him, because she was the first. I think I will only ask the principals to sign it when my son is getting ready to leave a school (elementary, middle, high). I wish I could ask every teacher he knows to sign it, but there are just too many. Homeroom, stations, music, PE... so many wonderful teachers. Anyways, this part of his gift will be kept a secret.
The second half of his gift is one he himself will create, even if he doesn't realize it right away.
We are going to make a progressive time capsule. It is very simple, and doesn't take up nearly as much space as a regular time capsule. The best part is that I can back it up on my computer!
In a typical time capsule, you put your favorite things and memories inside, and lock it away for many years. Then, when you open it again (be it 1 year later or 30) you are filled with nostalgia and happiness as you reminisce about each item. Well, I already started a keepsake box for each of my children, that stores memorabilia and (obviously) keepsakes. Favorite school projects, ribbons, awards, pictures, trinkets. But as a graduation gift, it had to be unique and something that would bring back memories of his times in school while still showing him how far he's come.
I am writing up a list of questions. Some examples are:
- What is your favorite color?
- What is your favorite subject in school?
- Who is your best friend?
- What do you like to do after school?
- What is your favorite movie?
- What is your favorite book?
- What is your favorite food?
- What special things happened this year that you want to remember?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What does it mean to become an adult?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10?
- What would you buy with a million dollars?
I am going to type them up and leave spaces for answers, and a space at the top for a copy of his school picture, then print it out. I will have my son fill it out in his own handwriting, then I will scan it and save a copy to my computer. The page he fills out will be filed in the filing cabinet, but having a backup copy is always a good idea. Every year when school ends, I will have him answer these questions again. And every year the page will be scanned then added to the filing cabinet.
When the time comes that he graduates high school, I will ask him to fill out one last page. Then I will take all the pages together, put them in plastic page protectors, and place them in a small binder to give to him.
He will know about the binder, because he will fill out his page each year. But I will give it to him alongside his Dr. Seuss book, filled with memories. I will do this for each of my kids as they progress through their school years. I want them to not only see firsthand where they have been and how far they have come, but also to see how much I have supported them through it all and encouraged learning and knowledge. Because in the end, I hope my TRUE gift is a love of learning.
What did you do for your graduate? What questions would you ask for a progressive time capsule? Let me know in the comments!
