A Reflection About Michigan

Well, another academic school year has passed for one of my college-aged kids.  This week, Mark is finishing up his freshman year at The University of Michigan, and we couldn't be prouder of him.  I couldn't be prouder of him.

A week doesn't go for me without being reminded of how prestigious a school Mark is attending.  Just this morning, I ran across a piano professor at BYU who did his undergraduate work at Michigan.  A tribute to Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes  ended with him strolling across the campus of his alma mater.  You guessed it:  Michigan.  And I've only been awake for four hours.

We joke about Mark being one of the "leaders, and best", but really, it's not a joke.  Mark has gone above and beyond what we ever expected him to do as a freshman.  Not only has he excelled at horn, and continually outranked others in his class and classes above him, but has lived a full life outside the performance hall.  He has somehow managed to balance one of the most difficult undergraduate programs with a second undergraduate program.  One degree isn't enough; he's earning two.

I can't talk to Mark either at home, in Ann Arbor, or on the phone without him talking about his first love:  rowing.  The August day I dropped him off at the athletic field on main campus to meet the varsity kids on the rowing team seems like forever ago.  He was skinnier then, and I don't think he had any idea what lay in store for him on the rowing team.  However, he has worked his fingers to the blistered bone and has loved (just about) every minute of it.

Too, he's been a good boy and remained active in the church.  He teaches lessons in Elders' Quorum and does his home teaching every month.  He attends Institute classes and Family Home Evening.  There was no question about him being worthy to enter this temple this week--his life is a good, clean life.

The best thing?  Every time I see him (after having not seen him for a while), he's still the same old Mark.  He still brings a smile to my face.  He is still as handsome as ever.  He still loves to talk.  He still loves to joke around.  He still talks in his cute chipmunk voice.  He is still as worn out as ever because he takes on too much and yet somehow figures out how to get it all done.

When John and I reflect on Mark and his experiences this past year, we couldn't have asked for him to do anything more.  He has sucked the marrow from the bone of his freshman year at Michigan.  Here's to being one of the "leaders, and best"!

And with that, I leave you with the one and only video I have of Mark racing.  I seriously get giddy with happiness when I watch this, and according to Mark, it wasn't a good race at all--who would have thought?  He's the only one in dark blue, fourth from the back.  Words can't begin to express my pride.

Michigan 2F at Wisconsin