A Daughter Growing Up...

I just sent my youngest daughter back to college this morning after a long holiday break for her. This will be her last semester in college for the time being. She graduates this spring and hopes to land a job soon and find a place of her own.

It was hard watching her drive away. Tears filled my eyes. I wasn’t sure why until I sat down to write this. I think it hit me so hard because this will be the last holiday break where she’ll be home as a student with a whole month to just lie around and be nearby. Chances are good (at least I’m hoping so) that she’ll get a job and begin a career somewhere (hopefully close by, but maybe not). She’s a talented writer, much more talented than her Dad was at that age and probably more creative than I’ve ever been. One of her dreams is to get a writing job in Boston. That would be great for her. And I’d love to visit her and take in a Red Sox game in the spring, see the New England fall colors or walk down Beacon Street at Christmas time.

That shouldn’t be sad, but I think it’s one of those life-changing moments. For the better part of 20 years I’ve been watching my daughters, first just little tykes, toddle off to school. At first, it was daily, holding their hands as they went to the bus stop or walking them to school. Then it was driving them when the school bus was no longer cool. For that assignment I was instructed not to sing, play the music too loud with the windows open, or try to be funny or cool in anyway. Soon, they were driving themselves to school, not an easy thing to watch, either. And then, they left for college, first as we drove them and then later, all on their own.

And now, that will soon be history.

Not the end of the world by any means, but still a little sad for this father who loves his “girls” with all his heart.

Mike