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Post by doc on Jan 19, 2016 14:51:36 GMT
Yesterday I watched my daughter drive away to a job interview in Cleveland. We live just north of Cinicinnati (Mason) so she had about a 3 and a half hour drive. She's the youngest of our three, we have two older boys who are out of college and contributing to society - they both live in Cincinnati. After her interview, our daughter will return to the University of Dayton for her final semester of college - she'll graduate in May with a degree in chemical engineering. She's a great kid, I love her to death and I'm very proud of all the hard work she's put in to earn her degree - especially when you factor in she didn't get to draw from the greatest DNA gene pool in terms of gray matter from her father's side of the equation...all her smarts she got from my wife.
Over the weekend we were talking with her brother (who is living at home until his wedding) and his fiancée and my daughter said, 'after I go back to school I'll probably never live at home again.' That hit me hard, that's why yesterday was so bittersweet. As happy and excited as I am for her, I'm equally sad to know that after 23 years she's going to be spreading her wings and leaving the nest - our baby is ready to make her mark. She's interviewing with Parker Hannifin and all I can say is if they hire her they will be adding an amazing and beautiful person to their team. I know from 23 years of experience.
She actually had to grow up faster than most kids. As many of you know, I was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma about 10 years ago. She was in the 7th grade and had just turned 13. Telling her I had lymphoma was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life. I remember telling her and her brothers that I was going to do everything I could to get healthy but I was going to need their help in getting there. She took it to heart. The boys were in high school at the time so they had many diversions, most notable their sports and practices. My wife was self employed so she had to work her ass off to make sure we could keep our house afloat should I have to stop working for an extended period of time, or worse. So most nights it was just my daughter and me, sitting on the couch watching television - she would do her homework while keeping me company. I needed her far worse than she needed me. I couldn't stand being alone and she knew that - that was when my emotions would get the best of me. So we'd watch all her favorite shows - American Idol, Survivor, The Office, The Biggest Loser. We'd root for our favorites, we'd boo when the 'bad contestants' would win but most of all we laughed a lot during a time when we had so much to be worried about. I'm probably the only one who will quote Miley Cyrus today but in her song 'The Climb' she say's - 'I may not know it but these are the moments that I'm gonna remember most, just gotta keep going.' Well when I think back to my battle with lymphoma that's what I remember, all the wonderful time I spent with my daughter as I struggled to regain my health. It was definitely the most difficult time of my entire life but I wouldn't trade it for anything, that time with her meant so much to me...especially on days like yesterday.
My lymphoma has come back several times over the past 10 years. Unfortunately it's not curable but every time it returns they have something better to treat me with. I've accepted my situation and so has my family. And when it has come back our kids are always there to help get me through the next battle. I've been very blessed.
Time goes by quickly. I've watched three kids grow into wonderful young adults. Seems like yesterday all three of them were in diapers. I'm proud of them. And yesterday, as I watched the youngest drive away to find her future, I was happy for her but sad for me. She'll always be my little girl. Go make your mark, kiddo...Papa loves you.
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hoya
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Post by hoya on Jan 19, 2016 16:37:18 GMT
God bless you and your family, doc.
I don't have kids yet, but I imagine it is tough to see them leave.
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Post by Hero on Jan 19, 2016 17:33:18 GMT
I could not be happier that my daughter is on her own and building a family of her own. We get along great and have been so happy with my new granddaughter. That said, I feel the sting of separation. I wish I had more access than I do but accept it and make the best of it. Bittersweet is the word...a feeling I know all too well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDgOwX72fLI"Mandolin Rain" The song came and went Like the times that we spent Hiding out from the rain under the carnival tent I laughed and she'd smile It would last for awhile You don't know what you've got till you lose it all again Listen to the mandolin rain Listen to the music on the lake Oh, listen to my heart break every time she runs away Oh, listen to the banjo wind A sad song drifting low Listen to the tears roll Down my face as she turns to go A cool evening dance Listenin' to the bluegrass band takes the chill From the air until they play the last song I'll do my time Oh, keeping you off my mind but there's moments That I find, I'm not feeling so strong Listen to the mandolin rain Listen to the music on the lake Ah, listen to my heart break every time she runs away Oh, listen to the banjo wind A sad song drifting low Listen to the tears roll Down my face as she turns to go Runnin' down by the lakeshore She did love the sound of a summer storm It played on the lake like a mandolin Now it's washing her away once again...whoa, again The boat's steaming in Oh, I watch the sidewheel spin And I think about her when I hear that whistle blow I can't change my mind Oh, I knew all the time that she'd go But that's a choice I made long ago Listen to the mandolin rain Listen to the music on the lake Ah, listen to my heart break every time she runs away Oh, listen to the banjo wind A sad song drifting low Listen to the tears roll Down my face as she turns to go As she turns to go Listen to the...listen to the mandolin rain Listen to the tears roll Down my face as she turns to go Listen to the tears roll Down my face as she turns to go Listen to the mandolin rain. |
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Post by ajbuckeye on Jan 20, 2016 3:35:13 GMT
Yesterday I watched my daughter drive away to a job interview in Cleveland. We live just north of Cinicinnati (Mason) so she had about a 3 and a half hour drive. She's the youngest of our three, we have two older boys who are out of college and contributing to society - they both live in Cincinnati. After her interview, our daughter will return to the University of Dayton for her final semester of college - she'll graduate in May with a degree in chemical engineering. She's a great kid, I love her to death and I'm very proud of all the hard work she's put in to earn her degree - especially when you factor in she didn't get to draw from the greatest DNA gene pool in terms of gray matter from her father's side of the equation...all her smarts she got from my wife. Over the weekend we were talking with her brother (who is living at home until his wedding) and his fiancée and my daughter said, 'after I go back to school I'll probably never live at home again.' That hit me hard, that's why yesterday was so bittersweet. As happy and excited as I am for her, I'm equally sad to know that after 23 years she's going to be spreading her wings and leaving the nest - our baby is ready to make her mark. She's interviewing with Parker Hannifin and all I can say is if they hire her they will be adding an amazing and beautiful person to their team. I know from 23 years of experience. She actually had to grow up faster than most kids. As many of you know, I was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma about 10 years ago. She was in the 7th grade and had just turned 13. Telling her I had lymphoma was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life. I remember telling her and her brothers that I was going to do everything I could to get healthy but I was going to need their help in getting there. She took it to heart. The boys were in high school at the time so they had many diversions, most notable their sports and practices. My wife was self employed so she had to work her ass off to make sure we could keep our house afloat should I have to stop working for an extended period of time, or worse. So most nights it was just my daughter and me, sitting on the couch watching television - she would do her homework while keeping me company. I needed her far worse than she needed me. I couldn't stand being alone and she knew that - that was when my emotions would get the best of me. So we'd watch all her favorite shows - American Idol, Survivor, The Office, The Biggest Loser. We'd root for our favorites, we'd boo when the 'bad contestants' would win but most of all we laughed a lot during a time when we had so much to be worried about. I'm probably the only one who will quote Miley Cyrus today but in her song 'The Climb' she say's - 'I may not know it but these are the moments that I'm gonna remember most, just gotta keep going.' Well when I think back to my battle with lymphoma that's what I remember, all the wonderful time I spent with my daughter as I struggled to regain my health. It was definitely the most difficult time of my entire life but I wouldn't trade it for anything, that time with her meant so much to me...especially on days like yesterday. My lymphoma has come back several times over the past 10 years. Unfortunately it's not curable but every time it returns they have something better to treat me with. I've accepted my situation and so has my family. And when it has come back our kids are always there to help get me through the next battle. I've been very blessed. Time goes by quickly. I've watched three kids grow into wonderful young adults. Seems like yesterday all three of them were in diapers. I'm proud of them. And yesterday, as I watched the youngest drive away to find her future, I was happy for her but sad for me. She'll always be my little girl. Go make your mark, kiddo...Papa loves you. My parents have always prayed to God that they live to raise their kids and that their kids outlived them. God answered their prayers and I am sure he has answered many of yours over the yours. No doubt in my mind that you have done a tremendous job raising and supporting your kids. Although it may be bittersweet you certainly must be proud. I took my son to WVU today to take a look at the University and he fell in love with it. Got a feeling that my oldest will be leaving the nest soon which I thought about alot on the trip back. I still have an 8th grade daughter and know that day will come sooner than I could ever anticipate. |
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Post by GatorGrad on Jan 20, 2016 4:55:06 GMT
Thanks for sharing, Doc. Blessings to you and your family.
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Post by doc on Jan 20, 2016 14:53:20 GMT
Yesterday I watched my daughter drive away to a job interview in Cleveland. We live just north of Cinicinnati (Mason) so she had about a 3 and a half hour drive. She's the youngest of our three, we have two older boys who are out of college and contributing to society - they both live in Cincinnati. After her interview, our daughter will return to the University of Dayton for her final semester of college - she'll graduate in May with a degree in chemical engineering. She's a great kid, I love her to death and I'm very proud of all the hard work she's put in to earn her degree - especially when you factor in she didn't get to draw from the greatest DNA gene pool in terms of gray matter from her father's side of the equation...all her smarts she got from my wife. Over the weekend we were talking with her brother (who is living at home until his wedding) and his fiancée and my daughter said, 'after I go back to school I'll probably never live at home again.' That hit me hard, that's why yesterday was so bittersweet. As happy and excited as I am for her, I'm equally sad to know that after 23 years she's going to be spreading her wings and leaving the nest - our baby is ready to make her mark. She's interviewing with Parker Hannifin and all I can say is if they hire her they will be adding an amazing and beautiful person to their team. I know from 23 years of experience. She actually had to grow up faster than most kids. As many of you know, I was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma about 10 years ago. She was in the 7th grade and had just turned 13. Telling her I had lymphoma was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life. I remember telling her and her brothers that I was going to do everything I could to get healthy but I was going to need their help in getting there. She took it to heart. The boys were in high school at the time so they had many diversions, most notable their sports and practices. My wife was self employed so she had to work her ass off to make sure we could keep our house afloat should I have to stop working for an extended period of time, or worse. So most nights it was just my daughter and me, sitting on the couch watching television - she would do her homework while keeping me company. I needed her far worse than she needed me. I couldn't stand being alone and she knew that - that was when my emotions would get the best of me. So we'd watch all her favorite shows - American Idol, Survivor, The Office, The Biggest Loser. We'd root for our favorites, we'd boo when the 'bad contestants' would win but most of all we laughed a lot during a time when we had so much to be worried about. I'm probably the only one who will quote Miley Cyrus today but in her song 'The Climb' she say's - 'I may not know it but these are the moments that I'm gonna remember most, just gotta keep going.' Well when I think back to my battle with lymphoma that's what I remember, all the wonderful time I spent with my daughter as I struggled to regain my health. It was definitely the most difficult time of my entire life but I wouldn't trade it for anything, that time with her meant so much to me...especially on days like yesterday. My lymphoma has come back several times over the past 10 years. Unfortunately it's not curable but every time it returns they have something better to treat me with. I've accepted my situation and so has my family. And when it has come back our kids are always there to help get me through the next battle. I've been very blessed. Time goes by quickly. I've watched three kids grow into wonderful young adults. Seems like yesterday all three of them were in diapers. I'm proud of them. And yesterday, as I watched the youngest drive away to find her future, I was happy for her but sad for me. She'll always be my little girl. Go make your mark, kiddo...Papa loves you. My parents have always prayed to God that they live to raise their kids and that their kids outlived them. God answered their prayers and I am sure he has answered many of yours over the yours. No doubt in my mind that you have done a tremendous job raising and supporting your kids. Although it may be bittersweet you certainly must be proud. I took my son to WVU today to take a look at the University and he fell in love with it. Got a feeling that my oldest will be leaving the nest soon which I thought about alot on the trip back. I still have an 8th grade daughter and know that day will come sooner than I could ever anticipate. I just wonder where the time went. But then I think of all the memories and I realize how blessed we've been to have our kids so close as long as we have. I was looking at my daughter's empty room last night and on her shelf is a copy of Charlotte's Web which I gave to her the day she moved to college. I wrote a note about how much I used to love reading her books at bed time and Charlotte's Web was our favorite. At the end of the note I wrote ' Someday I hope you get to read Charlotte's Web to a little girl as awesome as the little girl I got to read it to'...once again, I teared up. I really only have one item on my bucket list - her wedding. There's nothing I want more in life than to walk her down the aisle and dance with her at her wedding. I'll be a mess but it will be the happiest day of my life.
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Post by FLORIDA HERD FAN on Jan 20, 2016 17:37:10 GMT
It gets better and better from here on, Doc. My kids left the nest long ago. All have successful careers, marriages and oodles of kids. My grandkids are starting to have kids.
One of my joys is allowing my grandkids (and greats) to do things that their parents prohibit, and then play "innocent". I get tons of fun, and none of the responsibilities.
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Post by Bevo on Jan 26, 2016 14:41:39 GMT
Very well stated, Doc. I hope you've saved that in another format.... to have if we ever lose this site again. You should give it to her some day.
I could tell, from our brief interactions, what a wonderful person she is. Organized, driven to succeed, accepting of advice and yet, confident enough to hold to some of her own ideas. And, above all.... polite and respectful. You have a right to be very proud.
Our youngest son moved away in October, to begin his professional career. It is very strange, knowing that he's up in Lansing... so far away, living on his own. We don't hear from him as often as I'd like. But, when we do speak with him (like last night) he's literally bursting with new things to tell us. I *think*....with girls, you'll hear more from her. Boys don't seem as interested in keeping in close contact. Since you have both, you can tell me later if that's true.
We just spent 10 days on a Caribbean cruise with my older son and his new bride. What a joy it was. It occurred to me, we likely spent more total time together with them, as a couple, in the past 10 days than we have in the entire 18 months they've been together. We've always liked our new "daughter". But, now... after seeing them together day and night, it's more than obvious just how wonderful she is, and how PERFECT they are together. Even my doting, Italian wife is now fully convinced: Her son remains under proper supervision.
You're right: It's bittersweet to see them moving on with their lives, and away from us. But, it's also exciting. It's a thrill for me to see them starting a career. Watching them reminds me of a time when I was filled with optimism and almost completely lacking in fear. I don't want to go back and do it over, but I do wish I could recapture some of that spirit.
Time marches on. If we're lucky, we get to march with it. What I WANT to do is, ride it like a wave.
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Post by doc on Jan 28, 2016 15:50:44 GMT
Classic follow-up to my daughters job interview. She sent thank you notes to everyone she met during the interview process and apparently there was one member of the team she'll be joining who she was unable to meet. So she sent a thank you note to him, as well, saying..."Jim, I'm sorry I was unable to meet you but had we met it would have been the highlight of your day!" Yesterday she got an e-mail from Jim welcoming her to the team and he ended it by saying..."everyone cracked up when they saw your e-mail to me - WELL PLAYED!" I told her that not many people would have the wit or confidence to send a note like that to a prospective employer and it was obviously something that made her stick out from the others. In sales it's all about making a great first impression and building solid relationships - I think this kid can go as far as she wants in her career.
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Post by Bevo on Jan 28, 2016 16:13:58 GMT
Classic follow-up to my daughters job interview. She sent thank you notes to everyone she met during the interview process and apparently there was one member of the team she'll be joining who she was unable to meet. So she sent a thank you note to him, as well, saying..."Jim, I'm sorry I was unable to meet you but had we met it would have been the highlight of your day!" Yesterday she got an e-mail from Jim welcoming her to the team and he ended it by saying..."everyone cracked up when they saw your e-mail to me - WELL PLAYED!" I told her that not many people would have the wit or confidence to send a note like that to a prospective employer and it was obviously something that made her stick out from the others. In sales it's all about making a great first impression and building solid relationships - I think this kid can go as far as she wants in her career. lol. That's hilarious.
I'm sure you're right. She's off to a GREAT start... even before she's finished. 
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Post by Hero on Jan 29, 2016 17:21:04 GMT
Classic follow-up to my daughters job interview. She sent thank you notes to everyone she met during the interview process and apparently there was one member of the team she'll be joining who she was unable to meet. So she sent a thank you note to him, as well, saying..."Jim, I'm sorry I was unable to meet you but had we met it would have been the highlight of your day!" Yesterday she got an e-mail from Jim welcoming her to the team and he ended it by saying..."everyone cracked up when they saw your e-mail to me - WELL PLAYED!" I told her that not many people would have the wit or confidence to send a note like that to a prospective employer and it was obviously something that made her stick out from the others. In sales it's all about making a great first impression and building solid relationships - I think this kid can go as far as she wants in her career. That is classic. |
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