As I browse Facebook posts, it is common for parents to post pictures of their college-aged kids back when they were little. The other day was Halloween, and quite a few 12 year old pictures of kids dressed up for Trick or Treat began showing up in my "News feed." I get it, sure there is a part of me that misses pushing Lane on the swings, the birthday parties, the class field trips, and the thousand other memories still so vivid and clear. I still have some 1,000 hours of on-watched video of him, shot on different cameras,, each of which is a format no longer supported.
Three years in a row we trekked out to Rosemont Theater to see Blues Clues Live. Steve Burns was great as "Steve" on TV, but live, with a fake Steve, and 6 foot tall versions of cartoon characters, it didn't really work. Even by age six, Lane had seen enough theater to be a bit disappointed in the production value. That said, I enjoyed any family time I felt like a good dad for taking him.
And, based on my tendency cling on him, and demand his attention a bit more than what's healthy, people feel compelled to remind me that " Lane is getting older, you have to let him grow up." Believe me I recognize nothing but the best intentions of those friends and family making the comments. Yea, Yea, I get it- Lane's getting older, the truth is I'm really OK with that fact.
Last week Lane took the train down with a few friends and met me at the House of blues for the Pretty Reckless concert. Of course he focused most of his attention to hanging with his friends (as he should have) but the truth is the concert was way more fun then Blues Clues. The point some people miss is that I'm totally OK with the "He's getting older thing," in fact I have never enjoyed spending time with him more than now. Our conversations are deeper and more stimulating. I greatly prefer discussing cinematography than YuGiOh Cards ( A game he use to cheat when playing with me). I love our two-hour long talks about the development and growth of various characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was an amazing treat to be able to watch him direct talented, passionate actors and to see the mutual respect they showed towards each other.
I don't just get that Lane's getting older, I relish the fact. My only regret is I don't get to spend as much time with him as I would like.
Three years in a row we trekked out to Rosemont Theater to see Blues Clues Live. Steve Burns was great as "Steve" on TV, but live, with a fake Steve, and 6 foot tall versions of cartoon characters, it didn't really work. Even by age six, Lane had seen enough theater to be a bit disappointed in the production value. That said, I enjoyed any family time I felt like a good dad for taking him.
And, based on my tendency cling on him, and demand his attention a bit more than what's healthy, people feel compelled to remind me that " Lane is getting older, you have to let him grow up." Believe me I recognize nothing but the best intentions of those friends and family making the comments. Yea, Yea, I get it- Lane's getting older, the truth is I'm really OK with that fact.
Last week Lane took the train down with a few friends and met me at the House of blues for the Pretty Reckless concert. Of course he focused most of his attention to hanging with his friends (as he should have) but the truth is the concert was way more fun then Blues Clues. The point some people miss is that I'm totally OK with the "He's getting older thing," in fact I have never enjoyed spending time with him more than now. Our conversations are deeper and more stimulating. I greatly prefer discussing cinematography than YuGiOh Cards ( A game he use to cheat when playing with me). I love our two-hour long talks about the development and growth of various characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was an amazing treat to be able to watch him direct talented, passionate actors and to see the mutual respect they showed towards each other.
I don't just get that Lane's getting older, I relish the fact. My only regret is I don't get to spend as much time with him as I would like.
