Orlando

[Castor]

Well friends I just got back from a family vacation in Orlando: to Disney World & Universal Studios. And this post has little to do with watches...

I feel real weird. The trip to Disney Land was a promise kept to the kids about taking them to Disney Land & also as a gift for graduating from college & university. But it really felt more like an end. Like a soft closing of a garden gate that you know you're leaving for the last time. After this is over my kids are going on to start their own lives. It was like when they were older kids playing on a merry-go-round & begged me for just one more spin... one more laugh... of course I gave it to them & it was a lot of fun, but it was also the last time we played in the park.

Matt said that that the trip to Orlando was kind of like a last 'hurrah' & I think he's right. But I'm glad we did it. I now really understand the look that was on Mom's face when I left home by deciding to walk across Western Canada. Her & Dad dropped me off at the Yellowhead Highway & Mom had this very strange look on her face... I think I understand now.

I feel strangely lonely remembering Stephanie's first rhythmic gymnastics practice in her ill-fitting leotards & trying to twirl a baton & ribbon. Or Matt's first hockey evaluation while wearing an ancient pair of leather & horse-hide pads, with the stuffing falling out onto the ice. I keep thinking how much I'd really like just one more hockey game... just one more twirl of the baton. Impossible. But would it really kill the universe to give that to me. Would it really kill the universe to give me one more day of play with my kids. And pretend, if only for a little while, that they are kids.

On the other hand, perhaps that's what Orlando was.....

[waspy1]

Must be getting dusty in here....


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[CDNWatchNut]

I know how you feel...kids are wonderful...and while they seem to grow up in the blink of a eye, they'll always be your kids, no matter how old. Enjoy your happy memories and make more! I'm not too far behind you with our son just a year from high school and our daughters in university. Heartfelt post, thanks for sharing

[Kingair]

My princess is 10 but that day will come pretty soon I am afraid

[cop414]

I can relate 110%, the years fly by and before you know it... they're grown and gone. My oldest and her new husband will be moving 8 hours away next month... makes you swallow hard and does bring a tear to your eye. It all puts me in a very melancholy state of mind sometimes. Before you know it though you'll have grandkids and the process repeats itself... kind of...

Hold your child's hand every chance you get, the day will come all too soon when he or she won't let you anymore.

[Kingair]

Actually I never thought about it but we moved 15 hours away . . . airplane time

Guess what I will say when my daughter later tell me she going to live so far away . . . ?

I actually never realized it . . .

And these 10 years Mrs C now is, past so fast so this might happen in a blink

[jcd]

My kids are 9 and 4. I've worked a schedule that allowed me to have a lot of time with them. I'm so thankful it worked out that way. There was minimal daycare and maximum daddy-daughter time. I know in the future I'll look back fondly on having all that alone time with them.

[toneafficianado]

Beautifully written post! You're lucky to have had them in your life full time for this long though. My daughter moved interstate [1000kms here in Aust] when she was 8 after her parents breakup. So I have been doing for 11 years what you will now be able to look forward to..communication with the kids on iphone/computer etc. Texts are the key! And phone pics..Honestly, it actually gets better as they grow and progress as long as you can keep in touch on an almost-daily basis this way.

[Scot_3]

I feel every word. I was lucky enough to have similar experiences at Disney, and every year when my family all meets in Daytona for the races I thank god that we are all still here and that my grown up kids want to be there with my wife and I. VERY VERY anxious for grand kids.

[skprd13]

Congrats for having such wonderful memories! You are one lucky man. I am sure your wife and kids are just as proud of you as you are of them!

[Andad]

I hear you C.

This has just happened to us over the past few years.

Son 24 graduated and moved interstate to new job.

Daughter 20 has just bought a little house of her own - only 4 km from us so see her often.

Other older kids long gone.

Now the house rattles.

Puppy is 15 and rabbit is 5 so..................