The last week in April led up to my son Jacob's graduation from the University of Cincinnati.
Our first child, graduating from college. It still hasn't really sunk in yet.
One of those moments in time that you never really thought would get there. When you thought about it, you tried to picture what life would be like at that moment, what you and your wife would look like in the moment. Thankfully, we didn't turn out to be as old and gray as I thought we may be. Face it, when you are twenty or thirty something, 50 seemed light years away. Or less than 50 in Kelly's case.
The reality of college graduation seemed so far off, even at the point of high school graduation. I mean, 4 years ago, who would have thunk it?? (..... yes, you read correctly, he finished his degree in 4 years!!! So proud!)
I took the day prior to graduation off from work to get some things done in the morning. We were leaving early in the afternoon for a dinner event with Jacob in Cincinnati. So when I got up on Friday morning, the house was quiet and I began to think about things, you know the big picture that was becoming clearer as this milestone event approached.
Then the picture reminded me it was trash day and I hadn't taken the cans down to the street. After collecting the trash throughout the house, I proceeded to take the can and the recycling bin down to the curb on this damp and chilly April morning. Wearing shorts and slides along a sweatshirt, it is Ohio of course. To complete the 'day off' ensemble, a ball cap. Suburb chic I like to call it.
I thought I had heard a truck while I was in the house and hoped that the recycling hadn't already been picked up. So I walked towards the neighbors driveway, to see if their bin was empty or full. Still full, didn't miss it, good to go. I walked about 20 feet down the street towards my house, ready to go back to my coffee and chase away the chill, when I heard it.... a little voice called out,
"Hi Joe!"
Busted!! Caught red handed checking the status of the recycling....
Slowly I turned, there he stood, at the top of his driveway, bag of Goldfish Crackers in his hands, the red haired 4 year old boy from next door. We'll call him M.
Trying to play off my sneaky bin check, I responded, "Good Morning M. What's going on?"
"Nothing." M replied. Followed quickly by a very poignant question, "Are you going to the Bus Stop?"
As M asked, his Mom and first grade sister R, came down the porch steps from the house.
Now R, being the good big sister that she is, taught M how to say 'Hi Joe!' whenever they see me. I have heard it many times, sometime several times a day or even several times within an hour, and I answer every time. I look forward to it, like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. I am hopeful that if I continue to respond cheerfully, I can avoid curmudgeon status in the neighborhood.
Since M was a couple of years younger and a little on the shy side when they moved in next door, it took a little time before he would belt it out like he did on this fine morning. Then to add this very important question.
"Are you going to the bus stop?" A simple question from M, but it held a big meaning in my melancholy state of mind that morning.
"Of course I am going to the bus stop!" I informed M. Since it had been quite awhile since I was 'needed' to walk to the bus stop, I felt it was more than appropriate to do so by choice this fine morning.
You see my daughter, our youngest, just finished her freshmen year at The Ohio State University, so you can say it has been some time since my last walk to the bus stop.
Off we went, moderate pace, R leading the way, Mom and I talking about this and that, M sauntering along snacking on the Goldfish crackers, offering his observations on the scene, filling me in on the bus stop protocol if you will. M introduced me to some of the other kids, then ran off in an impromptu footrace as the first graders hung out at the corner, you know, playing it cool.
The neighbors, who knew I really had no need to be at the bus stop welcomed me with a laugh.
It had been awhile, going to the bus stop, quite the social event I must say. After a suspense filled five minutes of chaos and anticipation, the school bus arrived and the kids loaded up. We waved, said our goodbyes and advised the kids to have, 'A Great Day at School.'
I turned for the journey back home as some of the other parents stayed to talk. Mom, M and I started back down the sidewalk to our little section of the street. The crunch of Goldfish crackers breaking the post bus stop silence. (ok, we were talking but that sounded more dramatic, just go with it.)
I looked down and saw a worm on the sidewalk. I called to M, who was walking out in front of us, setting the pace. M returned to inspect the worm.
Mom asked M, if he wanted to save the worm. M quickly agreed that this was the best course of action and picked up the worm and placed him in the cool comfort of the grass.
To insure the worm was well nourished, M reached into his bag of Goldfish crackers and placed one next to the worm for nourishment. Of course M used the same hand he used to pick up the worm, so the cracker would have the appropriate worm scent and thus subsequently accepted by the worm. Such a smart lad!
Soon we arrived back at M's driveway, and the journey to the Bus Stop came to an end. Quite an eventful journey at that.
Looking down at M, I could see the little boy that would walk across the University of Cincinnati Stage the next day.
Although not quite so small anymore and ready to start a job on the next Monday versus saving worms. Everything he wants is in front of him, his goals are set and he is off to storm the tower, as he did so many times, charging up the hill in our front yard. 'To the Keep!' he would yell if the tide of battle would turn. Regroup and ride out to win the day! He is ready.
Are you going to the bus stop?
Of course, every chance I get.
