Happy Birthday, Kat

My wife and I arrived home from choir practice tonight to find our granddaughter's car in our driveway. At this season of her life, it's good to see her anytime. She had come by after play practice this evening to relax and work on her "human geography" homework before she drove the rest of the way home. I fixed her a cup of hot tea and we talked about life for a few minutes. But in just a wink, she was putting her tea into a travel mug and heading out the door. "Bye, Nana, bye Papa. Love you."

Kat is extremely busy as a second semester high school senior. She's taking a full load of honors classes, and serving as a student body officer, president of a service club, as well as preparing for the senior play. I get worn out just thinking about her schedule.

Kat has been a blessing in our lives since she first came into the world on April 1, 1992. In fact, for the first five years of her life she and her mom lived with us, so she has been, for all intents and purposes, almost like another child. And for 13 years I was the only father figure in her life. But she's got a great dad now, and I was all too happy to move over to make room for Steve.

So it's bittersweet to consider her impending high school graduation. This fall she'll be headed off to college, and life will be forever different. We're excited about what the future holds for her, because we know she'll do well at whatever she undertakes. But I'm going to miss coming home and seeing her car in the drive when she comes over to visit, however briefly, as well as those occasional granddad/granddaughter lunches.

Happy birthday, Kat. You're a blessing to everyone who knows you, but especially your grandparents. Love, Papa.