On, Friday April 26th, KT and I had the privilege of watching our first graduation of a young man from the Whetstone program. The program lasts between six and nine months and has three levels that need to be completed before the resident can graduate. Each level builds on the previous one and gains the resident more privileges and responsibilities. In the month that we have been here I was able to see Kiernan really grow and accept the leadership portion of the program. I got to work with him on his last woodworking project which happened to be a picture frame that will be the resting place for his certificate. It was rewarding to have a small role in the program.

The ceremony itself started with Jeremy Thompson, the Whetstone director, sharing a few words about

time at the School and Ranch. Then four of the residents who have achieved level two spoke about their experiences during their time with Kiernan. When they were done, the staff had their opportunity to share and they also had some parting gifts for him. Then there was the customary video of the last six months that had some joys and tears, laughter and other things. After that, Kiernan’s parents got up to speak and that is really when some watery eyes appeared from them, staff and Kiernan himself. Finally, Kiernan had the last word. He spoke of course of the triumphs and some heartaches, trials and verbal jousts with other residents and how because of the tools that he had learned, was able to negotiate the various paths that life will bring to him. It was truly an inspirational day and one of hope for the other residents.

One of the things that I have noticed in the month that KT and I have been here is just how much the five main directors love these young men and want only the best for them. This is not a nine to five job for these men and their families. It is a 24-7-365 mentally exhausting journey that they are on collectively. To build a program that will help families (the parents and other family members have work to do as well) to be somewhat whole again is a lot of work. I see the directors working hard to tweak each part of the program to make it so that each resident can grow and become the man that he needs to be for his own future. It is how I felt when I served as a church elder or even being self employed, you never can leave things or events at the office. The whole process is consuming. And that is what I see with these five men and their families. The other staff both part time and full time staff feel it as well but not to the same extent.  There are some times when a resident has to be sent away for various reasons.  These are really tough times at the Ranch. It makes one feel like a failure. Sometimes a resident is sent to another program but more often he just goes back home to the same environment.  I ask for your prayers for the staff at Whetstone School and Therapeutic Ranch, the residents, their families and anyone one else who contributes to the program.

Graduation Day is a great day to celebrate.

Thanks for perusing,

Gary