keep your eye on the ball

I still remember Alexander's excitement (and mine too) when he received this letter.

This weekend I plan to be at the Cornell graduation. While I don't think I've ever said the words, "Keep your eye on the ball," it has been implicit in the many conversations I've had with my son over the past four years.

Alexander doesn't move linearly.  He is creative and curious, and his mind often follows multiple paths simultaneously.  This is very good for some things;  but not good for everything.

When Alexander decides late in junior year to switch majors, I am not thrilled.  Not because I think history is a bad major. In fact, I think it's a great major.  But there are many requirements needed. I want Alexander to enjoy his last year of college, and not be burdened with a heavy workload of demanding courses. But Alexander is certain that this is the right decision for him.  More certain than I am.

Alexander finishes first semester easily enough. But second semester is going to be his hardest yet. He needs to take five tough courses, including four in history. There is no room for error. 

Almost every conversation this semester contains some variation of, "How are you doing in your classes?" I try to be subtle, when I want to be direct. I want to shout,  "Stay focused. Keep up with all your reading and writing (and there is tons of both for four History courses).  Turn everything in on time. Do all assignments." Blah blah blah.  I know Alexander doesn't need to hear this from me. It's my own insecurity that makes me want to say it aloud.

So now the semester is ending. Two finals and three big papers — the last one due at 9am this morning.  I speak to Alexander last night.  He is still working on his paper but is confident he'll finish on time. He's almost there. I begin to relax.

This morning I text Alexander (well, actually message him through FB as his phone is still missing). I get the response I'm hoping for. Paper submitted on time.

So it looks like graduation will happen after all. Oh but wait, there is still one more thing.

"I need to finish golf."

"You what?"

"Ya, Daniel and I are taking golf to fulfill our PE requirement and we have three more sessions to go."

"What if it rains?"

"Don't worry.  We'll get it done."

I wasn't thinking, "Keep your eye on the ball," literally, but perhaps I should have been.