Well the day finally came today as my first and only daughter went off to kindergarten, where does the time go. Being an older dad I thought anyone in my shoes would appreciate the cartoon my Mom in law sent me. Paul

Thats me, 20 years ago.

As I waited with my daughter at the School bus stop on her 1st day she gave me a present.....it was a frame with this Poem in it. Any father that doesn't get choked up reading this w/ their little girl on the 1st day of school while waiting for the bus isn't human.

Damn Wife of mine knew it would get me.

Trust You'll Treat Her Well
by: Victor Buono, Source Unknown


Dear World:

I bequeath to you today one little girl ... in a crispy dress ... with two blue eyes ... and a happy laugh that ripples all day long ... and a flash of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well.

She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning ... and skipping off down the street to her first day of school. And never again will she be completely mine. Prim and proud she'll wave her young and independent hand this morning and say "Good Bye"... and walk with little lady steps to the schoolhouse.

Now she'll learn to stand in line ... and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She'll learn to tune her ears to the sounds of school-bells ... and deadlines ... and she'll learn to giggle ... and gossip ... and look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue at her. And now she'll learn to be jealous. And now she'll learn how it is to feel hurt inside. And now she'll learn how not to cry.

No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch an ant scurry across the crack in a sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew. No, now she'll worry about important things. Like grades ... and which dress to wear ... and who's best friend is whose. And the magic of books and learning will replace the magic of her blocks and dolls. And now she'll find new heroes.

For five full years now I've been her sage and Santa Claus and pal and playmate and father and friend. Now she'll learn to share her worship with her teachers ... which is only right. But, no longer will I be the smartest man in the whole world. Today when that school bell rings for the first time ... she'll learn what it means to be a member of a group. With all it's privileges. And it's disadvantages too.

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies do not laugh out loud. Or kiss dogs. Or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms. Or even watch ants scurry across cracks in the summer sidewalk.

Today she'll learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. And I'll stand on the front porch and watch her start out on the long, lonely journey to become a woman.

So, World. I bequeath to you today one little girl ... in a crispy dress ... with two blue eyes and a happy laugh that ripples all day long ... and a flash of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well.

I have a 1 year old little girl and a 3 year old Boy I guess I am human that poem put me right in my place. To know my. Priorities.
Thank You

how's your Back.... :jump:

Congrat's Daddy - O
can u say college fund :rotf2:
VB

I have a four year old daughter who is the shining star of my life and after that poem I think I'll consider Home Schooling.

Thanks Dad F. that was nice. It is even a little harder watching her go because I have been at home with her, Mr. Mom, for the past 5 years. Going to be different that's for sure. P.

If you think that hurts, wait til she leaves for college. The holidays become really special when they mean you get to see your kids again.

back in 76 when i lived in Sandiego...
they have these alleys behind each row of houses...ok
and a couple of neighborhood kids would visit me
quite often while i worked out in my garage...
and i'd entertain them a bit because they
were so wonderful ....a brother and his young sister.
she looked like a little ANGEL ...in a white dress
with the sun shining thru her curly blonde hair.

Not having any kids of my own
i always enjoyed their company and loved to
make them smile with my antics....or animal sounds lol..

one day the little girl appeared (4 or 5 yrs old)
who was very very shy and rarely
spoke a word..... just a big beaming smile.....

in her hand was a buttercup flower that she was
presenting to me as a gift like little kids do....
i had taught them the old trick question...do you like butter?
and you hold the flower under their chin....reflecting yellow.

she loved that game so much....

anyways, she came down to give me the flower
...as she was on a mission to say goodbye
and to repay my kindness
saying nothing she ran back home....leaving me
with a big smile on my face....

i didnt know it at the time but that was the day
they were returning back to
South Africa ....

about a month later, i just happened to be reading
the San Diego Union newspaper and found this story about the same family......
and I was extremely sad to learn that she had been killed by a stray bullet
from the rebels war games happening there.:hs:

it was a very sad day for me and it still is...
so, to close...i only have that single moment in time
to understand just how lucky you are......

My grandson starts kindergarten on Monday. My back hurts and I'm feeling old (and very nostalgic).

If you think that hurts, wait til she/he leaves for college. The holidays become really special when they mean you get to see your kids again.



the holidays don't come soon enough.:(