Graduation weekend important for daughter, dad

Discussion

May 29, 2010

By Ron Smith Washington Times-Herald The Washington Times-Herald Sat May 29, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

WASHINGTON — This is an important weekend for a lot of parents across the country. It is graduation time from high school. Young adults will line up to receive their diplomas and move on to another chapter in their life. I will count myself among those parents who will stand proud and watch their child walk across that stage.

I truly appreciate when life changing moments happen, like this weekend when I will throw a party for my daughter’s graduation from high school. It will be a happy day and a sad day all rolled into one. The little girl whose diapers I changed frequently has grown up and in the fall will head off to college. I feel, as each new chapter comes along, I become a little less involved in her decisions.

She, on her own, picked the college she wanted to attend, without the help of dear old Dad. Although it was not the place I pictured for her, ultimately she made the right choice for her. Her reasons were sound and I am sure she will flourish in that environment. I can’t help but to feel a little sad about being less involved, but I guess my influence has shaped the person she has become today. My little girl has grown up.

I can remember when I first saw her get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten. It was an emotional moment for her mother and me. I still sometimes watch the video of the bus heading down the road with her on board and at that time I knew my life would be different. I feel like grade school were my favorite years. I loved when she met new friends and our house was the place to hang out. Field trips, slumber parties, birthday parties and all the school programs made for a busy time.

It was a quick six years and got over much too fast. Junior high and high school have slipped away even quicker for me. Through all the weekend travels to dance competitions and trying to schedule vacation trips around extra-curricular activities it has been a very busy time. I would not trade those times for anything.

I was talking with a friend the other day and he told me he rarely photographs or videotapes his kids. I could not relate because I have documented my daughter’s life from filming her first soccer game to her last dance program. I never go to an event or on vacation without a camera of some kind.

I have six hours of my daughter’s first week of life. It would be boring to most, but for me, it is better than the best movie I have ever seen.

This weekend I will document on film another special occasion for her and another emotional moment for me. I will add it to the Smith Family Archives that I have stored and on a cold night I will sit down with a box of popcorn and watch videos of my daughters’ special times. What a great way to spend an evening.

I want to say congratulations to my first-born. You have made me proud.

nRon Smith started off this week on the wrong foot when his beloved laptop wouldn’t fire up Monday morning.

After a few days in the repair shop, he’s glad to have it back so he can stay in touch with the world over the long holiday week.

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