Big Day for Big Joe

Joe takes the ISEE test today at MBA, so it's a big day for him.  That's the Independent Schools Entrance Exam that middle school children take before 7th grade.  ISEE results are a big part of what private schools look at when considering prospective 7th grade students.  Most of the kids, Joe included, take a review course the fall prior to taking the ISEE.

Taking the ISEE is a lot of pressure on Joe.  He knows what is at stake.  He desperately wants to follow his brother to MBA.  He has felt that way since the day JP walked onto campus three and half years ago.  In some ways, Joe has taken as much pride in JP's accomplishments at MBA as anyone.  He wants to follow in his footsteps there, while charting his own course, too.  I want that for him, too.  

Most of all, of course, I want Joe to be happy.  He's a once in a lifetime kid, touching and inspiring everyone with whom he comes into contact.  Adults love him because he's articulate, intelligent, inquisitive, and conversant in so many subjects.  Kids love him because he's kind, caring, funny, and above all, a leader.  Some boys have it.  Joe certainly does.  Almost every day, I marvel at how blessed I am to have the boys I have.  

This morning, though, I'm a little nostalgic, I must admit.  It seems to me that for the most part, childhood ends after 6th grade for kids these days.  Middle school - real middle school - begins in 7th grade.  Really, it's like two years of pre-high school.  5th and 6th grade are like two years of post-elementary school.  Those are maybe the best two years for a boy, 5th and 6th grade.  Preteen.  Still a boy.  Hopefully, naive to a point.  No cell phone.  No social media.  Innocent.  

No major tests at school.  No dances to worry about inviting girls to or getting invited to.  For a 6th grader - at least for my 6th grader - life revolves around playing sports, watching sports, watching The Office, reading, playing Madden '25 or NHL '25 on the Xbox with your big brother, and St. Patrick Catholic Church on Sundays.

Yes, that precious human commodity, innocence, is starting to fade away for Joe.  He can't help but hear about school shootings, like the unspeakable tragedy at Covenant and just this week, Antioch High School.  Athletic limitations.  Friends changing schools.  Girls.  All of it on the horizon, drifting inexorable toward him, but thankfully, not here quite yet.

There's still time.  A little bit of it, anyway.  

Good luck today, Joe.