Sad Day

[pwolfy2003]

I have been dreading this day but yet looking forward to it for a long time. My only son is going to graduate from High School today.We are great friends and gonna be hard to let go. Today is gonna be a hard one. This fall when he leaves for college will be worse . To all of you who have young kids make sure you enjoy every minute with them , because as we are all told, time flies.One thing that will be hard is that we ride alot together , and when hes gone this fall /winter we wont be able to go riding together whenever we want.

 

[whitedust]

I hear ya but riding buds drop like flies & you either find someone else or ride alone. I'm seeing a lot more lone bandits like me on Vilas trails during the week as sleds are getting much more reliable. With your new Apex XTX you will be good to go anytime you want to ride.

 

[eagle1]

But on the bright side he graduated high school and is going to college! So congrats to you both! You must have done something right bringing him up.

Oh, and this winter, I"ll be more than happy to come over and ride you sleds, burn your gas, and let you buy me lunch. It will be like he never left. LOL

 

[jmvette427]

yea PAUL, if you are needing somones sled to maintain, fuel , and buy food and lodging for, I'm in ! Just kidding , it will just make your sons visits more valuable. cherish the moments !

 

[indy_500]

I got a better idea, I'm the same age as him! As long as you didn't order a yamaha for him too, I'll just take his place! LOL But like jmvette said, the times you ride will be more valuable. I have a sister in college and when she comes home on weekends, we usually plan something extra special to do with her. I took the path I did in life because I wanted to be able to ride as much as I could in my earlier years, never know what will happen as you grow old...

 

[lenny]

I feel your pain my friend, My son Daniel took off for the Navy 2 years this Oct and I still miss him as much as when he left. The day he left really was tough because nothing is more important to me than my family. It's funny how even just a text makes it seem like they are not so far away. I love to hear how a father loves his kids and that it's important enough to him to post a thread about it. Your a good man and it will all be a little easier. There are changes that we don't think about till they come but they even bring new and exciting times. Now you get to start a new relationship with him in adult terms and it's just as good as the child at home but different.

 

[garyl62]

I'm in a similar spot. Both my kids graduated this week and we had on open house Friday, great time with friends and family. Then this morning my son took off on his "adventure". He has been working at a camp for the last two summers, but its been for a few weeks at a time and we've always taken him there and picked him up, well this year it changed. He drove by himself the 325 miles between our house and Hagerman Lake outside of Iron River to be the "Canteen Manager" at Covenant Point Bible Camp. He'll be there the whole summer so it will seem like a semester away at college. Thankfully he'll be attending the Junior College in our area this fall, but I know this is the start of him spreading his wings.

On the other hand, that's what we all raise them to do, go out and be an independent, successful, honorable man.

 

[lenny]

I'm in a similar spot. Both my kids graduated this week and we had on open house Friday, great time with friends and family. Then this morning my son took off on his "adventure". He has been working at a camp for the last two summers, but its been for a few weeks at a time and we've always taken him there and picked him up, well this year it changed. He drove by himself the 325 miles between our house and Hagerman Lake outside of Iron River to be the "Canteen Manager" at Covenant Point Bible Camp. He'll be there the whole summer so it will seem like a semester away at college. Thankfully he'll be attending the Junior College in our area this fall, but I know this is the start of him spreading his wings.

On the other hand, that's what we all raise them to do, go out and be an independent, successful, honorable man.

You brought tears to my eyes Gary. Sounds like your son is in good hands!

 

[gary_in_neenah]

With Father's Day just a couple of weeks away, Congratulations to all the Dads on this thread that were there to support their kids. Job well done!

And for those of us that tried to guide our daughters through the teenage years, I feel your pain. Everything is fine until the first boyfriend shows up on the doorstep, then all bets are off cause it's going to be a rough ride the next few years. Been there...

 

[anonomoose]

It is all in perspectives.

We teach them the "right" things in life and demand that they do them or face the consequences.

We expect them to perform the way we want them to, and spend plenty of time teaching the difference between right and wrong.

Life is measured in milestones. First day no diapers, first day they can TELL you what is wrong and why they are crying. First day they do it all by themselves and put a smile on your face. First day to ride a bike with no training wheels and the first day they head off to school to become students and conformers.

These are all celebration points in our lives for both them and us!

Then comes the "first date" and "the dance" and "the first drive out the driveway" without YOU beside them.

Then their first job, which provides them with money YOU didn't earn.

These points are made because they are becoming independent of us...it is what they are supposed to do.

While it is human to wish the clock would slow down and not move so fast....this process is exactly the way it is supposed to be...and if you think you will miss him...imagine how he/she will feel going out into the scary world by themselves without Mom or Dad right there to be sure they don't fall on their butts.

Milestones are what we make of them....your's has just passed one and things will never be the same again...just like the day they went all nite without wetting the bed, or driving out the drive-way.

Go ahead and miss him/her....but remember that YOU got them there and they are doing exactly what you have spent the last 19 years getting them ready to do. He or she will begin the rest of their lives making mistakes and learning that the old man isn't quite as dumb as they first thought.

Congrats for a decent job on doing YOUR job correctly.

 

[blu2u2]

It is always hard when a new "chapter" is started in ones life. I still recall my telephone conversation with my mother after I left for college. She said my father was in tears since his only son was out of the house.

I know it won't be the same but I would be happy to ride with you next season.

 

[pwolfy2003]

Thank you all.

 

[switch07]

Been in your shoes twice my friend, When my daughter Kristin, and my son Adam went off to school in Madison, I cried like a baby. It's not easy letting them go.......but it's part of the circle of life. When Kristin decided to serve our country in the Navy, boy did the water works go off then,lol. Not only that, when I walked her down the aisle for her wedding, I think my feet got wet. Now when I see her big smile in uniform on her ship, and my grandsons smile, there are no tears, just a very proud dad. My son has found his way in life and is very happy with his girlfriend, and his career. He even finds time for a quick ride in the UP with his dad. I guess what I'm try to say pwolfy, we all go through this time in our life and if you raised your kids the proper way, loving them and respecting them, like it sounds you have, and many others on this site have, you will reap the benifits down the road. Congrats on a job well done.....

 

[pwolfy2003]

OK . The day came yesterday. We took our son to college. I thought yesterday was the worst day of my life. Boy was I wrong..... Today it hurts more yet . I am so proud of him and know this is for the best but it hurts like ****. I cant stop crying cuz I miss him so badly already . I know that will pass but until then its gonna be tough.I keep getting reminders of him every little while around the house. So just another reminder to everyone, make sure you do as much with your kids as you can cuz before you know, things change and they are not there to go golfing sledding , fishing or whatever you do together.

 

[lenny]

Paul,

I must say your affection for your kids is so strong and that is something they will never forget. You have done the hardest thing a man can do and that is to love your family as you love yourself. You are a man of integrity and a great example to all of us, thanks for sharing and thanks for being a totally committed father!

 

[m8man]

Gosh I'm getting teary eyed thinkin about my two boys, 11 and 5. my 11 yr old is having a sleepover and my 5yr old is going to sleep in the cave with them tonight for the first time. The boys have done it before but not my little guy.

gave em an extra hug tonight.

hat's off to all the successful parents out there!! That includes you to pwolfy2003

 

[polarisrider1]

OK . The day came yesterday. We took our son to college. I thought yesterday was the worst day of my life. Boy was I wrong..... Today it hurts more yet . I am so proud of him and know this is for the best but it hurts like ****. I cant stop crying cuz I miss him so badly already . I know that will pass but until then its gonna be tough.I keep getting reminders of him every little while around the house. So just another reminder to everyone, make sure you do as much with your kids as you can cuz before you know, things change and they are not there to go golfing sledding , fishing or whatever you do together.

Don't worry they come back home to visit with Laundry, in need of money and hopefully not with a pregnant girlfriend. Also you will get hot water with your showers again. Cheer up. been there 3 times.

 

[polarisrider1]

make sure you do as much with your kids as you can cuz before you know, things change and they are not there to go golfing sledding , fishing or whatever you do together.

Very true, time flies. They do get breaks from school, so smile and be happy he is in College, it could be worse, He could be here arguing with us for 28 pages about "Poos Problems". Or in a cell with a guy named "Bubba". cheer up!!

 

[Go Fast or Go Home]

Pretty soon the Grandkids will come along.

I saw a saying that said---If I knew grandkids were this much fun I would have had them first.

 

[schnook]

X2 just moved youngest son to college, and wished farewell to oldest as he moved from rochester mn. to seattle wash. I will now have to find new hunting,fishing and sledding partners. But I am very proud of my boys to decide to better themselves.