I have posted on and off about my younger son who is a senior at Manheim Township High School and who will be attending college this fall in Denver, Colorado. I'm dreading this summer because it will be his last full summer home, and these are his last few months here.
But, on a happy note, my oldest son is also graduating this June. I don't want to leave him out, because I am so super, super proud of him. He will be graduating with his Bachelor's Degree in Film Production, from an accelerated program where he has attended school year round for the past two years! He'll be getting his bachelor's degree after only 2 years of school, but has had no summer breaks and very limited free time, and usually had classes 6 days a week. I have never seen this boy (now young man) so excited before; so excited about attending classes every day; so excited to tell me about his projects and his accomplishments. Needless to say, we haven't seen him much over these past two years. He left a boy, and he's coming back a young man with a dream and a vision.
A story that he wrote was chosen by his professors to be filmed as one of the class projects. This is a huge deal, and was one of only 3 chosen out of about 200 submissions! He did not get to direct it, and that nearly broke him. He was just devastated that something that he wrote, lived and breathed for months would be something that he has no control over how it finally turns out in the end. Being assigned to a different project altogether, his instructors told him that this is how the real world works. Just because you write a screenplay, doesn't necessarily mean you get to direct it. Real life hits hard. His classmates were gracious enough to keep him informed of how the film was progressing, though, and he ended up enjoying the other film he was assigned to work on.
Since then, he's also co-wrote at least 3 other screenplays that were also chosen to be filmed as various class projects. He's currently working on a commercial for a local movie theater, and a short documentary about something that I completely forgot about (I think it might have been about urban renewal). He has far too much going on, that I can't keep track!
He and his classmates call me "Muse Momma" because whenever they are stuck on an idea or a story line, they call me up and I somehow inspire ideas in their heads. The funny thing is, this kid has no idea just how much he has inspired me. He had gotten himself into some trouble in high school, and he's taught me that someone can turn their life around when they are passionate about something.
He just wrapped up a film that was written by a classmate of his, "This Land", and he is now working on editing that film. He's starting to look for entry level jobs in NYC beginning this fall. Before he leaves for such a position, he's looking forward to spending some time in Lancaster County once again.
While growing up here, he complained that it was boring, that there was nothing to do, that it's dull. He has completely changed his mind, and now always talks about how much Lancaster County inspires him. He chastises his friends who still live here for not appreciating the beauty around them, for not opening their eyes and seeing what a gift they have in front of them. He dreams about the rolling countryside and the rivers. He'd love to spend some time in Lancaster County filming on his own before leaving for the big city to pursue his dreams even further, and I'm looking forward to having him home for a short while before he continues on his journey.
It's so easy to take for granted what is right in front of you. His absence from Lancaster only taught him how much he loves it here, and how he was too young to appreciate it while he was growing up here. Although he plans on furthering his career in New York City or elsewhere, I know he will always call Lancaster County his home.
I'll be travelling to Florida for his graduation, immediately after my other son's high school graduation. Oh boy, June will be a busy month!
This kid WILL BE on the red carpet one of these days. Mark my words! And, he's promised to take his Muse Momma along to the awards with him. I keep telling him that he needs to write a part for me, so I can be a Diva Muse Momma!
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Jeannie - I love reading your posts about your family. I am going to feature this one in Family Ties right now. I bet you will be seeing your son at a big premiere in the not-too-distant future!