Hold Your Kids Close and Tight

These past few weeks have really changed me. A few short weeks ago my son got engaged to his long time girlfriend, his sister and her boyfriend came out for a visit this past week from Calif. and they announced their engagement as well. Both kids in the course of 3 weeks. The family core is increasing by two, we are gaining a great young man, as well as a lovely young lady, I couldn't be happier.

What I didn't expect was the emotion it brought out in me. Saying goodbye at the airport was especially tough this time around. I find my thoughts wandering to when both were children, all the fun we had, both as a family, and with each one individually. I guess while I am delighted that my children are moving forward to the next phase in their lives, it is also slapping me in the face that I am too. Oh don't get me wrong I am totally ready to get the grand kids all hopped up on sugar right before grandma and I drop the little darlings back off to mom and dad, but I have to admit that there is a bit of sadness in the whole thing for me.

My kids are moving further and further to where they will need "old dad" less and less, and I guess I am going to miss that responsibility. The best piece of advise I ever got was from my dad. "When given the choice to work more overtime or be with the family, I can guarantee you when your sucking your last breath, your final thought is not going to be , I wish I had worked more overtime"

When you see your kids next, young or old, grab em, hold em, smell em, and remember the feeling, because before you know it they are gone.