We were trying to figure out what to do Sunday when Logan announced that he would like to go hiking on Turkey Mountain. It only took a few microseconds for the words to hit my ear and my response didn’t even go to my brain “Lets go!” I said.
It was a change for Logan. He has a couple of other big changes coming up. For one he is starting college today at a local community college. He is starting part time. So we are not photographing decorated dorm rooms and new room mates and all that. We are starting kind of slow to see how it goes and get him used to it and he’ll live at home.
Not everybody of course goes “off” to college. I graduated from high school in Albuquerque and went to the University of New Mexico and stayed at home. Suited me!! I went off to the Permian Basin of west Texas to work as a roustabout in the oilfields during the summer. I loved the work but I loved getting home also. I think Logan is a home body also. Eventually he want to get a job and get a place of his own. Hopefully not too far away.
We found someone camping illegally on the Mountain
The other change for Logan is that he is starting a work skills class at Goodwill Inc sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitative Services (“DRS”). Its going to be several hours a day and they are going to learn about all the various things a person has to know in order to have a job. We have been very impressed with both Goodwill and DRS. They are very nice people and we think this will be great for Logan. It will be in a small group type environment and they will all learn together.
Anyways say a small prayer if you would for our son as he starts this new things in his life. He is very nervous about it.
“…Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go…”
Joshua 1:9
The entire family will be in my prayers. I know that Logan is anxious and excited about beginning a new life adventure, but he has all of the support he needs to be successful. Have a blessed day.
Best wishes to Logan! Thinking of you all! 🙂
Prayers for this new stage of Logan’s life. I’ve seen the programs Goodwill has in place here and they do an amazing job. He will love it once he gets over the fear of the unknown. Go Logan!
Hi Alan, Jim & I read your blog entry together and it brought tears. We remembered holding Logan days after his arrival and reflected on how in the world it is already 18 years later. What a blessing and a teacher Logan is for all of us who know him. You Bates have been an example of patience, faith, and love for all of us fumbling our way through parenting. Love to you all & Logan, go light up the world!
This is perhaps the hardest learning curve, thus far, in Logan’s life. With parents like you two, I’m sure he’ll weather the storm and come through the other side. My thoughts are with you all.
Congratulations to Logan, and to Mom and Dad…great article, great lives, great blessings
How exciting, and frightening, for Logan as he takes another step forward in life. Both of your positive support and good examples will continue to help guide him as he ventures onto this new adventure. All the best young man.
I’m sure Logan will be fine. Starting new things is scary for everybody; he has the support he needs to get through it. Good for him for tackling two new experiences at once. Learning how to work is certainly just as important as the academics (IMHO) — Public schools used to teach these kinds of things back in the days before massive cutbacks (back when we worked in that area); I’m glad GW has stepped up to take over, though I’d rather the schools still provided that to all students).
Our youngest lived at home through college and one year of grad school. It was much like it had been while he was in high school at first, but by the last couple of years, it was as if we had an unseen border — he was always at school or his job, but once in a while I’d see something moved around in the frig….funny memories!