The Nest.

Helping my son pack for his trip comes with good and sad feelings. 

I'm glad to see him moving on, growing up, and becoming his own person.  I know that this experience will give him a new perspective and focus on his spirituality, life, and himself.  I'm proud to see him taking this opportunity to gain a life experience that he will always carry with him.

I'm sad because (to borrow the old cliche)  it seems like only yesterday I literally cut the cord when he came into this world in the hospital, seeing him on the floor learning to crawl, taking his first steps, and his first day of school.  His graduation this year, staying out late with friends, and his leaving are hammering the point home.  He's a young man.

Some regret enters in.  Questions such as: was I too hard on him; did I ignore him when he wanted my attention; did I teach him to walk in the way of the Lord; did I do enough to prepare him to be on his own.  I think I am harder on myself at the moment than I ever was on him. 

I've let him make his mistakes and learn from them.  I've bitten my tongue when I saw him head down a path so he could make his own decisions.  I've been there to help pick up the pieces when things went wrong and took the time to explain why they did (most times -his own realizations help him learn more than I could teach him). 

Some things I won't miss are telling him to take out the garbage, feed the animals, clean his room, and other assorted tasks needed to live in the house.  He'll have a new set of voices keeping him in check and realize that his parents weren't the horrible slave drivers as he thought.  

I love my son.  I want what's best for him; always.  I know he'll read this while on the road, and I know he'll get a little choked up, but too bad.  I am too. 

Enjoy the road Klaus!  Practice your scales, listen to your peers, and laugh always.  You are always here with us, and we have a reminder of you in every room.  Plus, Yota is in the driveway with his "stache."  Getting ready to play a few rounds of "World of Tanks" with him now as our

You can follow his journey on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/KlausCtiTrip

...and now to close this posting:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

-Traditional Gaelic blessing.