They Grow Up Fast

Time really does fly by! Sixteen years ago today Colleen woke me in the middle of the night with the words "Time to go." (I'll never forget that I had to stop for gas on the way to the hospital. But in my defense, the kid was a week early.)

It's said that as parents it is not our job to raise children, our job is to raise adults. It hardly seems that enough time has passed, but suddenly he's no longer a child. Our son has grown into a fine young man, and we are justifiably proud of him.

Just last week I had a vivid reminder of how much times have changed. I was cleaning up leaves in the yard, and was working around the now idle "jungle gym." I spied the climbing rope that long ago fell into disuse. It's now camouflaged by the same natural woodlands growth that covers the ground around it. I laughed, but it really is bittersweet.