Sorry to disappoint but this is not a gambling post.
This IS an open letter to my daughter on her birthday.
Why open? If I’m honest with myself, it’s mostly for selfish reasons. Bragging about a child is feels like bragging about yourself, regardless of how much (or little) you actually had to do with the outcome.
I’m going to say something that may sound like a back-handed compliment, but…
Our oldest child turns 20 today. I’m tempted to get all reflective and tell you what this means to me. But you know what? It’s not about me so much anymore. She’s a strong, smart young woman. It’s gratifying to think I may have had a role in her growth but she’s been opening her own doors for a while now.
Have a Happy Birthday kid! You deserve it!
(Don’t mind…
The site lost something when the kids got older. When kids get into trouble as an infant, it’s much more amusing than when they’re a teen. Plus, somewhere in between they learn how to read, become aware of the world around them, and don’t find it amusing when they lose control of their own narrative.
I’m making an exception with this post because it’s really about me…
Beth wanted advice on a homework assignment for a writing class she’s taking at college this semester. Her professor wants the class to come up with two topics for a possible upcoming assignment: write a persuasive essay taking a side of an issue relevant today.
I thought to myself, “yeah sure, possible. Like it’s possible I might take another breath before the end of the…
First, a little background.
HANDS OFF THOSE MICE!
I’ll keep it quick.
Beth is a smart, 15 year old kid who has been using computers at home for most of those 15 years. When she was a little over one we bought an original iMac. ‘Twas the day after Thanksgiving (in 1998) and all through the store, folks were swinging mice like weapons, crying the holiday motto: MORE! Then, like now…
I was really excited this morning. I surfed the web for images and maps of campus. I gave Beth ten answers for every question she asked. Maybe one in ten were pertinent to the question. I found a picture of a room from the dorm she’ll be staying in at UF. Countless pictures of my dorm came to mind. There was so much excitement and nostalgia floating around it’s hard to imagine a better…
My daughter has been been accepted by the University of Florida.
I am bursting with pride. As Yoda might say, “A proud father I am.”
I admit it’s a touch misleading though. Beth is just finishing ninth grade. She is not graduating early and she is not enrolling with the freshman class at UF next fall. She will be dual-enrolled in college courses next year, but they won’t be at…
Woo hoo! That’s a good one! Just because I’m not going to use this post to whine doesn’t mean I’ve got no complaints.
I promise you though – I won’t go there today. Today I want to cheer myself up as much as anything.
I do this with full knowledge of the consequences: this will be a boring post. Ask the news director at your local television station. Misery…
We were leaving the YMCA last night and I asked Beth how her first day of volunteering went.
“Great!” she said.
“Why did you decide to volunteer here?” I asked, thinking of yesterday’s post.
“I wanted to give something back to the community and this was the first place I thought of since we come all the time.”
My heart swelled.
Later, she asked me an…