I Can't Believe It...

Joey is a High School Graduate!

We are so proud of Joey's accomplishments. We are so proud of his drive, his perseverance, his tenacity, his love of life, his passion for learning, his confidence, his leadership abilities, his spirit, his independence and his compassion.

We're really going to miss seeing your face every day, Joey!

When you were 0

you had chubby little feet and hands

deep brown, thoughtful eyes

and hair that refused to be tamed.

When you were 1

you walked proud and smiled big

and started to show your stubborn side.

When you were 2

you talked so much

and asked so many intelligent questions

I thought perhaps I would soon not be able to keep up with you

and I was right.

When you were 3

you demanded preschool class begin with a science lesson

or you weren't really interested in going anymore

you refused to learn to swim

and you painted me the most beautiful flower pot for Mother's Day.

When you were 4

you were surrounded by adoring female fans

and when you wanted to learn to play the piano

we bought you a piano and you practiced every day.

When you were 5

you learned to ride a bike without training wheels

you blew us away at your first piano recital and

you started learning Japanese.

When you were 6

you learned to read

but you still loved it when I read stories to you

and you taught yourself Chess on the computer.

When you were 7

you visited OMSI and learned about Dinosaurs

you came home and recited your whole day to us, verbatim

you crashed your scooter at Willamette Park and chipped your front tooth

and you visited Japan for the very first time.

When you were 8

you started playing soccer "with the boys"

and this was a big day

you taught us that it is important to be patient, kind

and understanding of all people

even when they aren't being so nice.

When you were 9

you showed us you were a leader

by teaching computer class when the teacher didn't show up

you started art lessons

and you asked to play competitive tennis

for which we drove you all over the state.

When you were 10

you started violin lessons

you decided in earnest that you wanted to be an artist

and you painted the most beautiful paintings

that I cherish and that are hanging all over the house.

When you were 11

you traveled to Japan for the 3rd time and gave a speech in Japanese

in front of hundreds of people at the Kobe Sumaura School Music Festival

you played baseball on a team with your Brother, coached by your Dad

you were a pretty awesome second baseman.

When you were 12

you started middle school, continued with art lessons and tennis lessons

you started pottery lessons, you took guitar lessons

you asked a girl to a dance and she said no

and you figured out that you could be a great student, be loved by your teachers

and your peers all at the same time.

When you were 13

you dressed up like a woman for an oral presentation

just to get the class' attention

you gained a real passion for sailing on your birthday trip to Nevis

you got up in front of friends, family and strangers

chanted at your Bar Mitzvah ceremony

and you were amazing

in celebration of your accomplishment you planned a birthday party

with whipped cream pies, sack races and apple martini's

that will not soon be forgotten.

When you were 14

you spent 2 1/2 weeks in Japan for your Research Residency

you wrapped up middle school having been on the honor roll

every single term

you decided you wanted to go to Catlin Gabel for high school

you took tests and had interviews and got in all on your own

you ended your 9 year run of piano lessons

and we went to our last piano recital.

When you were 15

you went into Catlin Gabel as if you had been there your whole life

you charmed your teachers

you were voted co-President of the Freshman Class by your peers

you traveled to Turkey

and only took an old broken down Pentax 35mm film camera with you

you took some of the most beautiful photos

you got a steady girlfriend.

When you were 16

you had your first solo art show at the Bornowski Art Gallery

you nurtured your newfound love of the outdoors

by taking multiple hiking, biking and backpacking trips

you went to your first prom

you attended summer art school

at the Pacific Northwest College of Art

you asked for a vintage banjo from eBay for your birthday

and of course we got it for you

you taught yourself to play the banjo.

When you were 17

you dragged us to every street market in London on a

memorable family trip to England and Scotland

you continued to awe us with your wonderful oil painting

you continued your school government duties as co-President

of the Junior Class, you planned the prom

you became even more independent

you put your love of public transportation aside and started driving

more and spending less and less time at home

you started thinking about college.

When you were 18

you spent another school year as class co-President

you spent a great deal of time applying to colleges

you won an art scholarship

you got a pretty horrific case of senioritis

you made a very difficult college choice decision

you stopped studying altogether

you worked your ass off at Pok Pok for your Senior Project

you outgrew high school

you graduated.

You are an inspiration to us Joseph Benjamin Lubitz.

We love you.

.... and if anyone thinks that buckets of tears weren't shed while typing this, they would be wrong! I need to stop thinking about this kid leaving home in a couple of months and just pretend like it's not going to happen, until it does.