View from The Corner Booth   

 Good day to all!

It's that time of year when graduations are upon us. I'm sure you are all involved in a graduation of some sort.In past years, eighth grade,high school and college were the biggies. Today throw in pre-school and others and most everyone is involved in a graduation of some sort.  

This year our son is graduating high school and will be attending Thomas College in the fall. It is certainly bittersweet. We have attended Derek's last high school basketball game and his last high school lacrosse game. Attending these games has certainly been a joy, having had the opportunity to watch these young men develop into the future leaders of tomorrow. On the flip side, I will not miss the occasional father -son, "head to head," when in his mind he has all the answers and little financial responsibility to back it up!  

Overall, a great kid but it sure will be nice for at least 7 months of the year, for me not having direct knowledge on where he is at or what he is doing. I could be wrong, but I think it will be different, if he is not living under our roof. Let me give you an example.

Just last night, after the Celtics got defeated in overtime, and we had watched the game together, Derek went down into his room then came back up, went through the living room and out into the garage. At the moment I thought nothing of it until a half hour later, at close to midnight, I realized or believed that he had not come back in. Two doors were open and lights on everywhere but no Derek. I thought he must have come back into the house and I did not see him. I went downstairs, again all the lights were on, opened up his bedroom door, no Derek. I said "Huh! Couldn't have gone too far". So I proceeded to turn all the lights off , lock the doors, got undressed and headed for bed. I quickly realized there is no way that I am going to sleep not knowing where he is. I dialed his cell phone and like magic, he did not answer again! I then walked out of the bedroom in my underwear, determined to locate the little rug rat. I started downstairs shouting out his name with no answer. I then went to the garage, again shouting, no response. I cautiously went outside due to my dress and hollered again- no response. His car, well I really mean my car, which he has use of, was parked on the side of the house in it's usual place. It is in an area that is very dark and I had no flashlight so I tapped, well I really banged, on the rear window to no avail. I was stumped. I knew he was upset about the Celtics loss however, you still don't leave the house at 11:30 pm without notifying someone.

It is now midnight and I have to get up at 6 am.  I woke up Teresa and informed her that her oldest son was no where to be found. She wasn't very happy to say the least and got up to look for herself. She went right to his car and opened up the drivers door and there he was sound asleep in the drivers seat of his parked car  with the seat laid back. What was he thinking?? I will find out for my next stop is back to the house to discuss this issue for he has been grounded for the day. Today was his first day without classes with the actual graduation on Sunday evening June 10.  Great way to spend your first day out of high school. He might have been ok, except I waited in the kitchen for him to come in after his mother had located him and she went back to bed. About five minutes passed and as he walked through he had all he could do to say hi to me. I asked him what was going on and I don't even remember what he said. I proceeded to go out to shut the garage lights off and noticed that the garage door and the breezeway door were both left open again. I could not believe my eyes! After shutting off the lights and closing the doors I informed Derek he was to stay home tomorrow and I soon as I get there we will discuss what was going on. Can't wait to hear what he has to say.  

Usually a great kid but for whatever reason these last three or four weeks it's almost like he has "checked out." We will work through this but it will not be without a significant amount of pain on my part and also on his. I need to explain to Derek how I felt when he disappeared and the fact that doors were left open and lights were left on.  

Thomas College you can not start soon enough! And if the summer should continue along this route I will be looking into early admission! In fact there is a program where the kids start one week early with a very rigorous schedule that gets them acclimated prior to all of the students coming in. It's looking pretty good to me right now. Tomorrow will be a better day. God bless all of you parents who have raised children and are still able to talk about it! It's a good thing the "highs" far out weigh the "lows". I'm not sure who is learning more, the kids or me.                      

Wednesday evening Senior Night Teresa, Derek and I   

Derek, your Mom and I wish you all the best 

Dad