The Life-long Benefits of Scouting

    We've been a scouting family for 16 years. From Cub Scouts, thru Pinewood Derbys, to Raingutter Regatas, car washes, skating, outings, barbecue chicken fundraisers, from popcorn sales to Camporees, from Bobcat to Webelo, arrow points, from Arrow of Light to crossing over to Boy Scouts, sewing on a million patches, finding the neckerchief and slide for the hundredth time at the last minute, washing and ironing uniforms for the gazillionth time, learning knots, living by the Scout Oath and Scout Law, going on campouts, rafting, beach trips, snow skiing, battleships, fishing, kayaking, jet skis, summer camp, Order of the Arrow, Tsoiotsi Tsogalii ordeals, Cherokee to Raven Knob to Boddie, Eagle projects, courts of honor and receptions, from new scout to Eagle, from troop guide to senior patrol leader to Eagle, it has been a character-building, life-changing, boys to men experience. One we will never, ever forget. Carson's Eagle Scout Ceremony was held Sunday, January 5, at Pinedale Christian Church. I wanted to post the letter I wrote to Carson and read at the ceremony.

      Soar like a Bird. Fly like an Eagle.  Hit the peak and continue to strive for the top in all you do.  We as parents urge our kids towards independence and excellence because after all, we want our children to be better than we are.

Carson, you have always set yourself apart. I mean that in the best of ways: from the time you were a toddler until now you have observed, considered and then taken action.  You truly have always marched to the beat of a different drummer. And in all you do you display integrity and excellence. It is who you are.

     As an Eagle Scout you are expected to be a leader for the rest of your life. You will forever carry the title of Eagle Scout and be expected to represent your fellow Eagles with pride and dignity. And as you have already acknowledged at your young age, a true leader must first gain the respect of others before he can truly lead. It means adhering to your values, applying your knowledge and striving towards the goals that are meaningful.

     The fact that you, Carson, have never followed the convenient path of conformity is in itself,  leadership. Your classmates respect you, and have called you to leadership as their senior class president and voted you “Most Likely to Succeed.” Your fellow scouts respected you enough to elect you their senior patrol leader as a freshman. You have set yourself apart academically by being ranked at the top of your class for three and a half years. You earned your adult black belt at 14. A finalist for the Hugh Shelton Leadership award at NC State, even a university recognizes your potential for future leadership.

     Those things said, as your mom, you know how proud I am of you. I am proud of you for being interested in such a variety of intellectual, athletic, musical and religious pursuits and for never being satisfied with the ordinary, but rather staying in pursuit of the extraordinary.

So in your honor and to truly commemorate this occasion, I want to challenge you to NEVER lose that thirst for knowledge, and to stay true to your sense of integrity, right and wrong, and to never lose your faith even when the easy choices could take you in opposite directions.

     As the sun sets tonight, so ends the youth chapter of your life and adulthood begins just as a new sunrise.  I charge you, Carson, to undertake your Eagle citizenship with a solemn dedication.  Be a leader, but lead only with careful consideration.  Lift up every task you do and every office you hold to the highest level of service to God and to your fellow man.  So lead and serve, that those who know you will be inspired to live their best life.  We have too many who use their strength and their brains to exploit others and to gain selfish ends.  I charge you, Carson, to be among those who dedicate their skill and ability for what is good and what is right. I will forever be proud to be called your mom. I love you forever, my sweet boy.