Chasing the Wind

‘Twas the night before graduation
and all through the house
not a creature was stirring
well except my son on the computer
and Patch the wonder dog
with his red, white, and blue bandana

Yeah, yeah, I know the cadence isn’t right, I’m bushed. It feels sort of like Christmas around here. The refrigerator is stuffed with deli hams and swiss cheese, a 1/2 watermellon full of strawberry, kiwi, banana and cantaloupe. There are chips and cookies in the pantry. Courtesy of the boys’ grandmother, there’s a graduation cake.

There are bedrolls scattered throughout the house. Patch has a new patriotic bandana in recognition of Memorial Day. I just finished up the graduation presents (the thin flat kind payable to the bearer that young adults like best).

I dusted off the camera and bought new film today. I immediately snapped a couple of pics of Patch, and horrors, the shutter stuck. I had to remove the lens and push the mirror back in place. I’ve been meaning to take this back and exchange it for a digital camera, but I’ve waited too long, I think. It seems to be ok now; I took several more pics that snapped fine.

My oldest nephew graduated last year with a big shindig, and has just finished up his first year at Baylor. This year, my other nephew graduates and has already enlisted in the Army. I’m proud of him – but y’all put him in your prayers, would you? I want him back home safe. Correct me if I’m wrong, bro – he goes immediately to boot camp next month?

And of course, my son is graduating from high school. I’m so proud of him – the two of us have been on a walk together with God’s help that literally took us around the world – to Singapore and back. And then there were those home pyrotechnics with the one who is no longer here. Neither of us like to talk about that year, but it was tough on both of us. Tougher on him, I think; he was 11 and quite impressionable. My fault *tweeeet* 15 yard penalty for personal foul. Alex has recovered very well though.

My son will be headed to Sam Houston State University in the Fall to study Criminal Justice. He’s very motivated to make a difference in this world, and I’m very proud of the choice he made. He wants to join the FBI someday. Please send prayers his way, too – the world can use one more motivated individual with character like my son to fight evil in this world.

After tomorrow, we’re out of boys to graduate. Next year, we start on the girls. 🙂