The last couple Father’s Days I’ve highlighted other father bloggers. This year I’m going to break from the mini-tradition and talk about how proud I was as a father this past week. Our oldest (pictured right) graduated from high school on Tuesday night. My dad flew out from Arizona to witness the glorious event too.

Various times I’ve been a proud father throughout our son’s life to date but none topped Tuesday night. His birth some 18 fast (way too fast) years ago was a close second. The realization struck me that this was our first true checkmark as a parent. When I graduated from high school (barely), I wasn’t into the event. I didn’t see it as that important. I remember that was the last time I saw tears in my dad’s eyes. He was very into the event. Some 21 years later I finally understand what graduation means to parents and why it’s so important to them.

This part might seem a bit unbelievable, but it’s true. For the first time I learned where my high school diploma has been the last 21 years. My wife has had hers all along but I never even asked my dad what happened to mine. I’ve never seen it. During lunch this week I asked him if he had it and he said yes, it’s with his important papers. I’m sure he’s taken very good care of it.

Today it’s hat day at Emerald Downs. I like wearing baseball hats and since the Mariners can’t seem to win (they are in danger of being swept by the freaking Washington Nationals?! Grr), maybe wearing a horse racing hat will be better luck. Our oldest is 18, so going to take him with us, although you don’t have to be 18 to visit the track, unlike casinos.

Job-wise he’s helping us with our online business so far and working to get another job outside the family businesses. He doesn’t drive yet, but I’m sure that will happen eventually. While this might seem a bit odd for a teen, we live in a fairly small town and he has been walking distance from his school and the stores all his life. I was surprised there were forty 13 year seniors in his class of 104. A 13 year senior is defined as one who has gone through every grade in the same school (kindergarten, 1st grade - 12th).

Next year, our middle teenager will graduate and I’ll be equally as proud of him. Two years after that, our youngest is scheduled to graduate, same thing. It’s funny how you share different father-son moments with each child. With our oldest, he and I share a love in music (we went to Ozzfest and Van Halen together). Our middle teen and I love videogames together. And our youngest and I play music together on guitar, bass and drums. We’re the ones playing the original music that backs Hmmcast #181 below. Sorry about the shoddy HD camerawork, I should have brought a tripod to the event, my hand was shaking bad by the time we got to the end.

In kindergarten our oldest was a bit reluctant to leave home. He eventually warmed up to the concept of school and did well socially (seemed like there wasn’t a place we’d go that he didn’t see another student who trumpeted his name in public). I’m proud of you, son. Well done. Keep making your parents proud.

Hmmcast #181 downloads
Windows .wmv (1480×1080 HD) PSP/Zune .mp4 (480×272) iPod .mp4 (640×480)

Did this post make you go hmm?

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