A Post-Graduate Dad

As I wander about the blogosphere, I encounter any number of blogs by mothers, fathers, and homeschoolers. They bring back memories of when my own were young.

I think back to days when I would tell them stories at bedtime: when they would fill my beard with barrettes (ouch); of Christmas carolling with the Girl Scouts (and ordering the cookies!); of sometimes being grumpy; countless school concerts, plays and awards ceremonies; cheering at soccer games, swim meets, and bowling and tennis matches; the sometimes harsh things I said; graduations; camping; the morning drive to schools (usually late); baking heart-shaped birthday cakes; homemade gifts and cards; making sure everyone had exactly the same amount in Christmas stockings and Easter baskets; singing in the car; and so much more.

Alas, one is now married, one is living in an apartment, and the third is a junior in college and is rarely around.

I am a post-graduate dad.

But I still pray about them, think about them, worry about them, brag about them, sometimes cry about them.

I'll never stop being their dad, no matter what.

Sort of like God will always be our Father, no matter what.

He just does a better job of it.

Spring has sprung; Battlestar is done

Woke up this morning to ... Snow.

Ah, Spring in Rochester, NY.

The good thing was that it was also the last day before a week's break at school (yay).

And tonight two of the daughters are coming over to watch the final episode of Battlestar Galactica.

I actually used to watch the show regularly - until in one season it just got too brutal and dark. I stopped watching.

My daughters kept watching and they say it got back on course, so I started watching again occasionally.

As they don't have the Sci Fi channel and I do, I invited them over for pizza and science fiction.

Good thing Syracuse played earlier today in the NCAA tournament (a win) so I won't feel conflicted (as Adama has sometimes felt)!

Daughter back to college

We got daughter 3 moved back into the dorms at Wellesley College this past week. She had to get there early because this year she is an RA.

Despite appearances, the move was relatively easy.

Emily and the Good-Looking-One

and I all survived.

Daughter Graduates College!

Bridget graduated from Wells College May 24.

Sisters Emily, Bridget and Clare. Emily still has two years to go.

The Good Looking One, Bridget and I have reason to smile.

The Broons

Daughter 2 (Bonnie Bridget) returned from a semester looking fine and healthy, and bearing gifts of tales of the homeland.

She also brought a few other gifts - including the above edition of "The Broons."

My mother having come from the land of kilts and bagpipes, we had a copy of one of the "The Broons" annuals in our house. Maybe we got it when we visited there when I was a wee lad. Or maybe a relative mailed it to us.

I read that auld copy again and again in my youth, so the comic holds for me fond memories of childhood.

I had mentioned "The Broons" to Bridget, and she found me a copy.

Ah.

Below is one from the 1950s.

Bridget did not make it to my mother's hometown - Greenock - but did make it to nearby Glasgow.

And she never made it to Loch Ness.

Guess I'll just have to gae there meself!

Empty nesters

We are officially empty nesters for a while.

We took youngest daughter to Wellesley College over the weekend. She is now part of the Class of 2010.



Emily and the lovely wife.

The wife and I will be alone until Columbus Day. (Well, except for the dog and the cat.)

I’m proud of Emily for getting into Wellesley.

We posed outside the dorm room that Clare first had at Wellesley five years ago (Emily is in the same dorm, but a different room.)



Emily and the Dad.



Perchance to dream…