I went over to see dad after a workout and a short.  Angel helped me get him into his wheelchair so we could push him outside to sit in the shade in the backyard.  This is where we found Gloria with curlers in her hair.

She loves to talk and tell stories about her life, and I love to listen.

Today we talked about her trip to The Big Island, in Hawaii, after I told her about mine.

The conversation started because my dad was wearing his Hawaii shirt I got him.

She talked about her cruise there years ago, and that the Mormon church has a "show" they sponsor (or put on?) there.  Fire dancers, and a man made volcano that explodes at the end with "lava".

She also talked about going to Playa Del Carmen, and how she saw a boy with no arms doing paintings.  He used his feet to paint them.  She paid him $50 per piece.  She bought 3.  He was only charging $10.

She got another cruise passenger to pay $30 instead of $10.

The boy tried to give Gloria a free piece, but she told him to sell it and just remember that it was from Gloria, for his college dream.

A good visit.

I did interact with dad and had him laughing a few times with our old Glute jokes, "weird guy" jokes, and Harold Powell imitations.

He sits with his head down, it looks like he's sleeping.  But he'll always open his eyes and look at you when prompted.

Not sure if he knows who I am all the time, but once in awhile, maybe.

There are several dramatic changes I've felt in my life.  There are more than several big changes, but dramatic changes are those I categorize as throwing one into a sort of existential crisis.

The first big one is high school grauduation.

After the simple toss of a hat, life changes, and the unknown comes rushing in to greet you.

As a father, watching your oldest go through this is yet another existential crisis on the other side of the fence.

Bink didn't feel as adrift as I did.  She's got a solid job, VC classes, and a brewing relationship.

However, the end of her permanent residence here will be coming to a close at some point in life - likely in the near future, and perhaps as soon as she transfers.  

It's just a stark reminder that whatever comforts build up in your life over time, will slowly and steadily drift away.

No "comfort zone" stays with you forever.

Happiness and contentment are always, eventually, interrupted.

It's all a part of the journey, and it's a stark reminder that your journey is with but 1 person.

Even when surrounded by people you share your life with every day, in the end, the journey is with you and you alone.

What does one do with that journey, and how does one follow it?  This is the question that will make or break a meaningful life.

One thing that will never change is how much I love my girls.  And I do hope to be close to both of them for as long as I live.

My girl is so creative. She used old newspaper to signify her love of books/writing/reading to create beautiful roses and butterflies on her graduation cap.

Not only could I spot her easily in the crowd of grads, but everything on here symbolizes something personal about her.

While she doesn't do a lot of art/crafts anymore, when she puts her mind to it, things like this come with ease.

She's always been gifted artistically.  I love the attention to detail she puts into things she loves to do.

It's one of the most difficult things to let go of in life.  Childhood.

Not just your own, as you feel it slipping away towards the end of high school. A safe and warm (for most) chapter slowly closing in your life, never to return.

But then to see your children slowly fade from the safety and comfort of childhood as well.

Life just keeps on changing, as it was meant to.

Adapting, adjusting, finding a new path.  Always.  Whether we want to or not.

I'm so happy she had a great birthday.

First, we had breakfast with my family at our house.

Then, in the afternoon a pool party with her friends, and food.  Girls from school, girls from TKD and of course Addy who showed up here while everyone was at the pool.

I drove her over there to pick everyone up and bring them back.

She's a great kid, and I always like taking with Addy.

The movie they wanted to watch was short lived.  Hard to find something that engages everyone.  They stopped it and retired to the backyard to roast marshmallows and make s'mores.

I kept Walt at bay most of the time.

Kara got gifts and cards and felt loved.

It couldn't have gone any better. I love this kid!

I couldn't be more proud of Squeak.  She's been at this since she was 7, almost 10 years, and now she's doing tournaments.

She's competing against women older and bigger than she is, and she's winning.

Sure the tournaments are pretty small, comprised of a few studios around Southern California, but it's impressive to see my girl winning.

I'm not proud because she wins.

I'm proud because it matters to her, and she focuses on it and wants to do well.

She cares.

That's what truly matters.

I believe in this tournament she got first place in board breaking (her specialty), first place in forms, and second place in sparring.

Her movements were crisp and clean, and the high difficulty she attempts in her board breaks gives her plenty of cushion, especially when she breaks them.  (Which is almost every time.)

I just love going to watch her, and I love to see her enjoying the experience with her TKD sisters. 

From what I understand, Mr. Frazier almost demanded this piece be entered into the art show. 

Comprised of students from all levels of VUSD, Squeak again had a piece submitted at the urging of a teacher.

It's stunning.

We all get ideas from the things we see, other artists, nature, images in our minds, faces we've seen.

But to be able to produce something like this with your own two hands.

It's a gift from the Universe.  The Sacred.

It is said that a great artist, spanning any discipline, has the most direct connection to the divine we know of.  

In ways that words defy.

I long to feel that.

My child already does.

First place.

It's not the accolade, it's the channeling of raw ability into a beautiful, finished piece.

A work of art.

I'm so proud of my little one. <3