Sea of People, Ebb and Flow

I have been putting off this entry for a while now. Mainly because after I blog about an event, it closes the page on that chapter and it's on to another event. Selfishly I would like my offspring to be close to home forever. I could be sure of their safety, make sure they are fed and properly clothed and perform all the nurturing parental duties we have come accustomed to over the past eighteen years.
The picture above is from my eldest boy's graduation. I held the camera high above the crowd in order to capture a precious moment of my boy in an embrace with a fellow classmate. It was such a bustle of activity; I could hardly single him out. He ebbed along with his celebrating friends and I flowed toward the door. I felt like Tom Hanks as he watched "Wilson" float away in Castaway.
Later on after I downloaded the photos to my HD, I found him amongst that sea of people. He was all smiles and proud of himself and his classmates, as he should be. I'm proud of him too; he has been a great example of a fine young Godly man. Good driver, talented, handsome, and able to make good decisions...when it's required.
So there...that's that...another chapter...our child has flown the coop...left the nest. I'll just keep going on with these blurbs... as long as I can. Maybe this way I can delay the inevitable.

Probably not.

Lucky 7's Ride Along

Not sitting on my couch tonight, my laptop and its hot battery not toasting my legs as I type out some monotonous details of our life with teens. This evening I come to you from the pits of Lonsdale in the shadow of Sharps Ridge, inside the brick walls of fire station seven, home of the "lucky 7's". For 91 years this building housed some of Knoxville's bravest firefighters. Tonight, under the fearless leadership of Captain Faddis along with Senior firefighter Mike Dyke and Firefighter Howard, live the privilege of my first ride along.

The day had been quiet until late afternoon when we responded to an apartment fire. 78 mph up I 75 lights and sirens a-blaring, fire and smoke. It was a fire, a small fire but still a fire. For someone to respond to a fire on their first day exposed to this line of work is pretty lucky. Not so lucky for the little lady who's now charred mattress lies in her yard.

In my 14 month trek to become a firefighter I have felt a barrage of emotions, questions and doubts. 13 hours into my firefighting career (be it a trial run) I'm confident of my path, I like this job. June 9th is the first day of training academy. Six months of intense learning and exercise. I can safely say I'm ready, and with the kindness and friendship of the squad seven blue shift I feel good about my new career choice.

She Drives Alone...

I clearly remember the day I first drove to school...alone. I had earned my driver's license earlier that week and my Mom allowed me to take our Chevy van to school. I was in heaven; I felt I had cornered the market on being cool that day.
This week that winsome event occurred once again. This time to my 16 year old girl. She had been waiting for this day for several months. As the end of the school year approached, I'm sure she thought it would not happen, at least not before they were out for summer vacation. On the eve of the last day of classes I agreed to give Mom a ride to work, leaving the 325i in the driveway for anyone who might want to drive it...to school or someplace like that.
It was an eventless trip for her, (eventless is good...very good). I would expect that from her. She is a very good driver. I have coached her from the right seat the best I could and she sat through a semester of Drivers Ed, so she has a good foundation to work from. All that said, it still scares me when she's out there alone.
This brings to conclusion yet another event; a step toward the inevitable separation of a child from the nest. It started somewhere around her first steps, then it was off to school, the graduation from middle school, along with the teenage birthday. "HEY!! Kids grow up and get a life of their own. Get a grip John!" I guess I'm alright with it, but it does tend to leave a small hole in my chest.