Caiden Finn,
I’ve always held high expectations for you — they were the spark that kept my own procrastination at bay. I envisioned you walking across that stage in Montgomery, graduating alongside your virtual class. But you, Caiden, have always marched to the beat of your own drum. As Thoreau once wrote, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.”
You were a breech baby, coming into this world on your own terms. You were a late talker, yet you could hum and sing at age one, crafting your own melodic versions of the ABCs. Even when you struggled with reading and writing, you had a spirit that couldn’t be taught.
I dropped you off for private reading instruction with Ms. Judy, when you were ten, and when I picked you up, I mentioned how good you smelled. Keller said Ms. Judy rubbed “smart” oil on Caiden’s neck to make him smart.
When you dreamed of a “real schoolhouse,” I told you that you were capable of more than any public school—or even I—could offer. But in my desire to see you succeed, I became “Big E.” I became the great Enabler.
I managed the tolls in New York and the FAFSA forms. I handled the graduation announcements, the reset requests, the deadlines, and the credit recovery. I tracked your vaccinations, confirmed your ACT testing in Anniston, and curated your portfolios. From Kinco mittens for the snow to herbal teas for your cough, I tried to pave every inch of your road. I even let my heart be robbed of time with you when you left for New York at fifteen. I felt discombobulated when things didn’t go as planned.
The finish line is here. Connections Academy is waiting on that final step—the CCRI exam on Monday, May 18th. This diploma isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s the closing of one chapter and the beginning of your independence. It’s a ticket to more.
As you step into the world of business, remember to diversify—a little trading, a little drilling, a little marketing. Stay sharp, as the market moves for no one. But more importantly, stay grounded. You might think your success is born solely of your own brains, looks, or grit, but these are gifts from the Creator. Do not become so enamored with the gifts that you forget the Giver.
When I hear “Saturday in the Park,”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HjylD7esXDo
I see you — your movement, your song, and the way you can read my body language before I even speak. I cherish the way we laugh at the small nuances of life. Your character reflects the heart of Hebrews: “Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.”
Caiden, if you ever find yourself lost, or if the world feels too heavy, do not hesitate to turn back. The promise of Jesus is that He will never leave you nor forsake you, and neither will I.
May you find the balance between the independence you’ve fought for and the grace you’ve been given. https://m.youtube.com/shorts/D5SyEe5oGZU You are no longer the boy who needed “smart oil” on his neck; you are a man standing on the precipice of a vast world. Walk into it with your head high, your heart open, and your own drum beating loud and clear.
I am so proud of the man you have become.
Love, Mom
§tacyReneè§weeney 