Yesterday as we were leaving the seniors awards day my wife I were recounting that for the past 16 years we have been transporting someone to school. At first it was across town, because the 5 minute car ride was 45 on the bus, then to the local middle school 2 minutes away and for the past 7 years to high school several towns away. While we occasionally split some of the earlier years, she has been doing the high school trips back and forth sometimes multiple times a day. That has all ended and Sunday morning will be our last high school trip as a "connected family"

Over the past year and especially the past few months we have been profoundly aware that this was coming and cherishing the events as they were occurring and the small things like me making a breakfast to be grabbed as the youngest runs out the door to school or the last lunch packed for a half day or the last basketball and baseball games. Of course we can see more game, but as many of the kids we know and have known are moving on it will never be the same.

Thirteen years ago I remember so vividly riding the kindergarten school bus with my youngest as a parent escort. Last we when she drove off for a the last final exam I got a little teary. Where did the time go?  Tonight is prom and Sunday is is the community breakfast and graduation.

I expect over the next few days I be even more teary, confirming that dad is a real softy.