Can you hear it? The clock ticking? I can. Louder today than ever before.
Today, my little 4 pound preemie became a Freshman in high school. Tick. Tock.
Here's a note to my son on his first day of high school:
Colin,
Today, you start an epic journey. And the start of this journey is unlike any before it. The start of this journey truly is unique. Your mom and I made the decision, with you, to start this journey virtually. In the middle of a pandemic. After a summer spent in "lock-down." You're meeting teachers on Zoom, tracking tasks digitally and staying in touch with friends over text.
Last night your mom got teary-eyed as she thought about you being a Freshman. The countdown to you graduating and blazing your own path is in its' final stages.
And I admit, I'm nostalgic and sad about how quickly it's gone too. But as I thought about the clock ticking, I'm also forced to admit that this was always a part of the job. Every parent...deep down...knows "the moment" will come far sooner than we're prepared for.
The moment where our "littles" become big. And we sign up for the job regardless. And we would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Because the journey is worth it. Every milestone that takes you one step closer to leaving...is a moment we celebrate. Your first step. Your first word. Your first day of school. Your first year of high school. These are all moments that prepare you to go out into the world. Every step forward you take towards your own path...is a step away from our world.
But watching the joy and pride that you have with each of these accomplishments reduces the sting of what's to come.
Any first time parent will hear from more seasoned parents about how fast it all goes. But you're never really prepared for how fast it truly does go. And I know the next four years will pass by like a speeding bullet.
I know it feels like we've been hard on you lately. But it's because we hear the ticking. We know there are only four years left to give you all the skills you need for the next adventure. Four years to prepare you. Four years to give every ounce of wisdom we've gained to you.
Four years to prepare ourselves.
And so, today, the lesson I want to impart to you is the same lesson I'm telling myself:
Slow down.
The world will be there, waiting for you in four years. Enjoy this time in your life. Don't worry about what you want to do for a career, rather, focus on who you want to become. Embrace the moments. But don't worry about tomorrow, not yet. Slow down. Live in-between the ticks of the clock. Take time to play, laugh, gaze at the stars and just be.
Slow down. It's a lesson all of us need to learn.
Good luck, my Freshman!
Daddy loves.
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