Category: Uncategorized

Our Empty Nest arrived early — but we’re rolling with some of the same requests from Daughter

August 11, 2025

“I just want to stop by for a minute and pet the cats, and pick up something.” It was the first Monday following Daughter’s move, setting up house in a beachside condo with her boyfriend. She was coming off a 10.5 hour shift at the sandwich shop, but she was in a bright mood. The … More Our Empty Nest arrived early — but we’re rolling with some of the same requests from Daughter

What? Younger Daughter has turned 18! Dad’s still Old (even Older). Where does the time go?

July 24, 2025

One day I blinked, and she was 16, buying her own car and paying her own insurance. I momentarily rubbed my eyes, and when my fingers dropped, she’ had turned 18 and signed a lease for her own place (with boyfriend). Getting such a late start on fatherhood, as I did, I guess I must … More What? Younger Daughter has turned 18! Dad’s still Old (even Older). Where does the time go?

The ultimate complication of being an Older Dad: Likely you’ll miss the 2nd (or 3rd) act of the show

December 10, 2023

“Though I know I’ll never lose affection

For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more … More The ultimate complication of being an Older Dad: Likely you’ll miss the 2nd (or 3rd) act of the show

Hatching my latest scheme: This time, I get Santa kicked out of the mall

November 27, 2023

You could call this, “the day Santa got booted from the mall.” In this case, Santa was me. And I actually got booted from the sidewalk in front of the mall. But the fact of the matter remains. It all began the Saturday afternoon of Thanksgiving weekend, and the parking lot at the local mall … More Hatching my latest scheme: This time, I get Santa kicked out of the mall

Christmas trees Florida-style: Shopping in swim trunks, but sticking with a live tree

December 22, 2020

Moving to Florida has required many adjustments in our lives and traditions. This year, the pandemic has walked all over family plans. My wife’s family takes an annual trek to a different part of the country, and spends 7 days together under the same roof. Not this year. Daughter is excited about Christmas, but that … More Christmas trees Florida-style: Shopping in swim trunks, but sticking with a live tree

There are older parents who bear a painful burden, but step up to stand in the light

August 6, 2020

There is another type of Older Dad, Younger Child in our midst: Fathers who are raising their children’s children. Many causes create the situation: imprisonment, inability to provide care, and in the saddest cases, due to the death of a child. First, I have seen that losing a child is one of the most devastating … More There are older parents who bear a painful burden, but step up to stand in the light

Suffering social life: Teens need to see each other and get around, but parental taxi service piles up the miles

July 19, 2020

Mobility is an important issue at age 13, especially when all of your friends live between 20 and 1,000-plus miles away. Normally, teens can do most of their feeding at the friendship trough during school, with the occasional weekend sleepover. These are not normal times (pardon my understatement). This pandemic has a ripple effect in … More Suffering social life: Teens need to see each other and get around, but parental taxi service piles up the miles

Nobody wants visitors from Florida: Covid-19 means roadblocks at the border

July 6, 2020

Being 13 years old is a full-time struggle. It’s tough to find friends — 3 schools in 3 years, and a 1,000-mile move. She’s met a few friends since moving to Florida; the 6th-grade friends from a different school have faded. Two friends she made this past year are still in the picture, but it’s … More Nobody wants visitors from Florida: Covid-19 means roadblocks at the border

When did this change? She couldn’t wait to get braces — but the price changed, too

June 10, 2020

When I was 13, getting braces was a drudgery no child would willingly anticipate or take on. They were ugly, they made you look different — “Hey metal mouth,” and “Is that railroad tracks in your mouth?” We’ve known for several years that Daughter would eventually need braces. Her teeth took on a life of … More When did this change? She couldn’t wait to get braces — but the price changed, too