My son finished his matriculation at Purdue University with his last final Saturday. He now possesses a Business Finance degree from a top business school. He will start work for General Electric Medical in Milwaukee beginning in late July. He interned there last summer. He really liked the work, the company and the people. Judging by the employment contract he signed last fall, they apparently liked him real well, too. ;o)

My daughter took her last final to wrap up her first year at Indiana University Law in Indianapolis today. I'm going to Indianapolis tomorrow (supposedly on business) and am going to take her out shopping in the afternoon then out to dinner where her husband will join us. I'll get my first look at the new home they built in Noblesville, on the north side of Indy, too.

I'm really looking forward to getting the chance to just be "the Dad" and take my little girl out shopping. These times are so rare now and I miss them terribly. To give you an idea, even though I couldn't be happier with the young man she married, she and I describe on thing differently. She describes last May as when she married and moved to Indianapolis for law school. I still say it's when she ran away from home. ;o)

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), May 06, 2002

Answers

That is great that your children are doing so well. I wish them continued happiness...

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), May 07, 2002.

Yup, know that feeling well. Older son got married last summer and works at a software design company in Austin. (has a degree in computer science from U.T.) Younger son is almost done with government degree from U.T., and he just got his Big XII Championship ring for the Holiday Bowl Game. He played special teams, kick-offs, etc. He graduates this summer after his Navy ROTC summer cruise, then heads to Pensacola in October for flight school with the Navy.

I have time for my garden now that the 'nest' is empty. The stages of life are fascinating.

I can tell you that I don't care if I ever watch another football game. After all those years of junior high, high school, and then college ball, I am burned out.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

Thanks, Melissa.

Rose, I still love basketball at all levels after coaching my son from third grade on in basketball. Even though he's gone I still coach kids and have been officiating the game from littly tykes through college for 29 seasons now. I've been 'retiring' from officiating for about the last five, too. ;o)

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), May 07, 2002.

Gary, I read your post right before the kids headed off for school. They all get extra hugs this morning.

-- Polly in NNY (jserg45@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

Gary I think you have done this before but it would be nice if you could start another thread about the ways that you have raised these kids that caused them to be so great! Those of us starting on the path would appreciate your thoughts....

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

Congratulations to both you and your children, Gary in Indiana. It sounds like both you and your spouse did a great job in teaching them to really push themselves educationally. I hope that my children will turn out the same way. That will be up to my wife and I.

-- j.r. guerra in s. tx. (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), May 07, 2002.

Isn't it grand when your children reach the stage in their lives when you no longer feel the need to stay up late at night an wonder and pray what will become of them in the world????? I can picture the huge smile you must have been wearing as you watched your son graduate, and as he shared with you the details of his first career contract! Not to mention being able to lay your head on the pillow and know your daughter is headed for a successful career and marriage.....yet, the BEST thing I read was the special time you have coming up with your now-married daughter....THAT is truly precious, as you already know..God bless, and enjoy it to the max!

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), May 07, 2002.

Polly, the time really does just zoom by. I'm glad you seized a moment like that.

Ann, I'm very flattered. I will post a couple thoughts I can share. I'll tell you here that 99% of the credit goes to their Mom. She did an incredible job.

j.r., thank you. I'm a firm believer that it's easier to set a good course early than try to change a course later. As far as "pushing them educationally" goes, I don't know that we did that so much as not only tell but show them the value of it. We always spoke of them "going to college" as though it was just a natural course like going to high school. The idea of not going never even came up.

Lesley, I'm elated they're both doing well. After all, the better they do the nicer nursing home they'll put me in. ;o)

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), May 08, 2002.