So now what?
The other night my daughter, Kat, and son, Matt, finally had their commencement from Bridgewater State University.
Matt graduated this year; Kat was last year but Covid resulted in the commencement being postponed. The 2020 graduates were scheduled for Friday and Matt was supposed to walk Saturday but they asked the Dean if they could walk together because two trips to Gillette Stadium would have been too much for me. Thankfully the Dean allowed it which was a good thing because we never got out of there until after 9 p.m. Friday and we would have had to leave by 7:30 a.m. Saturday to get back to the stadium.
Yes I had a proud papa moment Friday after they both walked across the stage. I put my arm around my wife, Priscilla, and gave her a kiss. Then I said, “Well I guess we’ve done our job. Now what?”
I thought about that later that night and it’s true. I’m sure some of you have been through this so maybe you can help me.
You spend so many years raising your children. Keeping them safe, taking them to all their activities, maybe coaching them or being involved in their scouts or other groups. There are birthday parties for friends, parties for your own children, buying clothes, shoes and bicycles. You treat skinned knees, broken hearts, tears on the way home from games because “coach never puts me in!” Graduations and Proms, first apartments or new schools, new jobs and how to do laundry.
Then they grow up. My four are all grown now and they’ve started their lives.
Now what?
When I mention that to Priscilla she says, “Grandchildren!” Yup! That’s fun!
It is exciting to think about the possibilities. I watch what I want to watch on television now. There was a time when the only two channels we watched were Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel. There’s plenty of time now to read or write. We can explore more now with cooking instead of, “I’m not gonna eat THAT! Do we have any more pizza?”
Let’s see what else Priscilla and I can explore.
Catch up on Sunday Columns by clicking here.
Leave a Reply