One of the hardest things I've done recently

Hmm, what is the purpose of this? Since I'm the main one who reads it, I guess it's a diary. I just read a great blog that I found when Scot Simon trashed anonymous doctor blogs.
http://www.gradydoctor.com/
Well, I'm not a doc so this is still semi-anon.
Soo, I almost cried this morning. My daughter cried when I said since it's nice day she has to walk to school. I texted her yesterday and suggested she walk with her friends. She didn't, thinking I'd give in AND I ALMOST DID. You see, I know a secret: this is the last May she'll ever walk though this gorgeous suburban neighborhood! I'm boarding with a widow, and her son needs to move back in with his family. (It's not exactly a hard luck story; more of a family/work balance).
My first thought is, yes, another widow from the same church. In both cases, it was mutually beneficial. There are all sorts of “do I want to look dependent” issues here. But in fact, we are ALL dependent one way or another! If we are retired, then we are aging and need to plan for death (another reason for the son's move perhaps?). If we are middle aged and retired, why aren't we working;-)
And so forth. Behind success there is some sort of dependence. It's just more obvious in my case. I AM a success! I have two gorgeous daughters, including the one that cried today, and almost made me cry!

A Fathers Day Poem

“Always Looking Back”

by Kirsten, 9th Grade (see note)

“Can we go to the park” the little girl asked.
Not today, today daddy has to work.

Daddy, tomorrow can we go to the park?”
Maybe tomorrow, but today daddy has to work.

So the little girl grew up and parks were the thing of the past.
She no longer went to the movies with her kin,
and holding hands was practically a sin.
Spending time with her parents was now put last.

As she grew, she always wondered whether she would
ever have just one more day in that park.
Just one more chance to share an ice cream in a dish
or be carried because she was just too tired.
To look up at a shooting star and make just one more innocent wish.
Just one more chance to say “I'm It!”
or dance and sing as if no one was watching.
She just wanted one more chance to go back to that time
when the most important thing
was the newest crayons and dimes.
And now she knows she has to let go of the past
because she knows it will never last.

I just re-discovered this while cleaning out a closet! I'm so blessed: I worked from home for all but two years when this adorable little girl wanted to go to the park. We did so, many times, but never enough...

So today,

if your son or daughter wants to go to the park

GO! You'll look back,

and never regret it!