Hi All,

Those are words I didn't expect to hear myself say concerning my son for a while yet, however that is now a reality.

He had talked at the start of the summer about getting a job, and had submitted a CV to a local fashion retailer- (he is a st8 as they come lol!!)- a call centre and to McDonalds. I have to say the latter would be my last choice for him...the hours, the low pay, the smell, the management...AND you've guessed it that's the one he choose!!! So in his black uniform he is rushing through breakfast as I write this to get in for his second 6 hour shift...and likes it by all accounts...sigh.

I started full time jobs when I was 16, and worked away from home for the three summers before I went to university which was bliss, since home was hell, well my father was. I suppose I hoped my boy wouldn't have to, well he doesn't but wants the independence financially I think and ... A TATTOO

He starts a new college on Monday but will do part-time hours at this new venture. I wonder how long before the shine of this wears off. Yes I know I should be glad to see him motivated enough to do this....and I am, I guess.

Cheerio for now...Vincent..x

Been wondering how long it wil be before I am in the same boat. Josiah had a paper route when he was 13, but it's not quite the same. I could drive him around as he dropped off the papers. Sigh...

I know we are supposed to be training them for this independence, but this slow letting go... part of the whole process... but damn, it is ever so hard, isn't it?

Today I got the call from his mother that she almost cried after dropping him off at the school. His first day in High School...

Hugs!

My Beloved David and Vince,

Wish I could tell ya different, but it just gets worse, my loves.... it's a double edged sword... they grow up and you have to let go... yet, they still need you... they may not acknowledge you unless they need you, but they still need you...

Good lord, it was almost two years ago... when Jess had just started college... I remember going down to have dinner with her and her mother and we took different metro trains back to our locations.... there was Susan and I staring across the vast chasm of the metroline center at our teeny little girl who had already become far more metropolitan than I ever would have imagined... I just thought... she's so little...

The slow letting go is extraordinarily difficult, Vince... but, as my last weekend proved... they are still with you... It's hard, Vincey, it's very hard....

Love to all the dads here,

Smokey