As I stand on the Congress Street Bridge in downtown Austin tonight, mobs of protesters march down from the capital a few blocks away. Tonight Texas hosted a huge political battle and tons of angry people with signs surrounded the capital. It’s good to see some Americans care so much about their politics. I think about how numb the majority of our nation seems when it comes to politics and money and my heart warms to see this show of anger and sincerity…on both sides of the issue. I keep hoping we’ll wake up someday and keep this ball rolling.
…but that’s another story, isn’t it?
Older people start snapping pictures of the sunset. There’s nothing better than the sunset in Austin over hill country. I helped “sunset” another part of my life today. It’s still hard to realize that soon both of my kids will be in college. If you have kids you know how they implicitly trust you. Even when they grow into young men and women, they still hear when you talk, even when they pretend they aren’t listening…and maybe I’m lucky, but my kids still like to hang out with their old man. It’s a bittersweet time. Overall, orientation taught me a ton about details on how much they’ll spend for food, what to avoid bringing on move in day (of course the Longhorns call it “Moooove In Day”), and how to avoid spending a billion dollars on textbooks. But those are secondary. In my heart, I know that I’m on an escalator to that day when I’ll say goodbye to two of the three people who are closest to me. I’m not looking forward to those days, but I can feel the escalator picking up speed.
I’m pleased my kids are plugged in. My son has decided to pursue electrical engineering (one of the top programs in the country) and my daughter is tackling the pre-med program at Arkansas. They’re not angels, but when it comes to seeking the right degree, I think they both nailed it. Hopefully they can see it through to a great job.
But anyway, back to the bridge.
I’m standing on this bridge at dusk with hundreds of other people when the bats begin their long march into the sky. Here’s what it looks like:
By the way, this photo is a quick moment in time. Imagine line after line of bats emerges from the bridge….it feels like it’s never going to end…almost like my kid’s childhood. But sadly, on both accounts, I know that I’m dreaming.
Somewhere I read that “over a million” bats fly out from the Congress Street Bridge. Do you know how many bats it takes to make a million? Before I saw it myself, I thought, “Yeah, right.” Boy, was I wrong. As line after line of bats flew out from under the span and ascended into the sky, all I could think about was how it was a day of people pursuing their dreams. My kids are both now one step closer to being college students in great majors. These protesters stood strong for what they believe. These bats are on a quest for food which will last all night.
…and me? What am I pursuing now? I feel like I have front row seats to a ton of other people’s dreams today. I wonder: What magic am I creating?
It’s days like today that bring on big thoughts. I like big thoughts. It’s generally after days like this that I’m a ball of productivity, cranking out big doses of whatever goodness I’ve dreamed up. It’s become a muscle: head out on a short “vacation,” feel the force of time and the energy of other people creating their future, then come home and use that energy to create my own future. It’s always enough to get me moving again. Refocus. Re-energize. Explode.
I want more days like today.
Photo: Slopjop
Beautiful picture! Honestly, my son is only 15 months old and I still feel a slight twinge of pain hearing you talk about your kids leaving for school. I’m sure it’s a very proud moment, but a difficult one as well. It sounds like you’ve done a good job though. They have a vision for their future and a love for their parents. What more could you ask for?
I remember when my twins were that age, Matt, and one late night when I came home from work and they were asleep. I remember thinking that I wanted to delay this goodbye as long as possible. Hard to believe that I’m about 7 weeks away….
That post made me teary…seriously! I’ve been to Austin and watched those bats too. Incredible! Your kids sound amazing and I can understand how you’d be one proud papa!
Thanks, Tonya! Everything about this town speaks to me. Luckily, it’s only about 85 degrees. I’ve been told that it was 106 last weekend.
Nice picture Joe. I love your question about knowing how many bats it takes to make a million. I think it is a million, right?
My son is only 6 months old, so I don’t know you feeling, but I hope that I can teach him to pursue something worthwhile along with still wanting to hang out with me.
Ha! You’ll never know, dude, how many is in a million until you see it firsthand.
This was a heartwarming and inspiring post. When it was time for me to attend college my parents didn’t hide the fact they would miss me, a lot; I’m also the only child. Lucky for them I ended up not going away, but now they’re leaving me! I’m sure your kids will miss you a lot, and it sounds like they have a great future ahead of them. Skype has been my friend lately with keeping in touch!
I have to admit: I didn’t get it when I went to college. My mom cried and cried and my dad made a big deal out of the fact that I was leaving, but I was so focused on the journey ahead that how big that moment is completely escaped me.
What a moving post Joe! Our oldest is nearly six and it just seems like yesterday that she was born. I know that I am going to blink my eyes and she’ll be on her way to college – assuming she goes of course. It really makes me see the importance of time and instilling them with solid values and helping prepare them (as much as we can) for life. I think that is probably one of the most loving things we can do as parents.
I wish I could tell you that it slows down, but it doesn’t….cherish especially those years before 11 or 12: after that they start evaluating what you say and also want more time with friends or alone. You are still “okay” but no longer the coolest dude on earth.
Wow I can’t imagine what those bats would look like! I don’t have kids yet, but I can’t imagine what it’s like to see them grow into young adults…probably because I just turned 25 yesterday haha but I can relate on the big thoughts piece and how going on short vacations energize you to pursue and build your future. That happens to me pretty much every time I go on a vacation of any sort.
I get fired up about vacations a ton, mostly because I’ll be inspired when I return home. Even this one…where it isn’t really a vacation (I’m sitting in my hotel room overlooking the freeway typing this note….), will still give me a nice kick in the pants.
Beautiful picture and beautiful post, Joe. My oldest daughter will be starting kindergarten next year and just thinking about it brings me to tears. These last five years sure have went fast. Days like those really make you think about what you have and to live for now.
I remember how sad I was that day, too, Alexa! I was losing my babies from home to kids and school…it won’t be easy for you, either, I’m afraid.
Joe, even though my kids are quite a bit younger, your escalator comment resonates with me. It’s one of the tough parts of us parents getting older, and I can appreciate that. That said, it sounds like you guys have done a great job with your kids and should be proud. Plus, as they get older and settled, kids tend to come back close by. At least I did!
Thanks! while I hope they’re close by, I don’t think they’ll come back to Texarkana. While they like it, they never really felt this was home (we’ve only lived here for 4 1/2 years).
Amazing picture. I would have loved to see it on video. I don’t have any kids of my own but do have an 18 yo nephew who is off to college this fall. Since he was 1 I’ve been saving a few dollars for him. I became the uncle that didn’t give him big toys. I figured he’ll remember a toy I gave but would be proud to teach him a lesson on saving and the impact of time. That was ultimately my gift for him during graduation.
Awesome! Written like a proud uncle!
I try not to give my nephews and nieces toys either. I’d rather share experiences with them. We’ve taken each of my nephews on a family vacation with us, and that’s been hugely rewarding.
Great picture and a great post, Joe. My girls are a few years away from college but I can only imagine the joy, love and sadness I’ll feel when it’s my turn to say good-bye to them. It sounds like your kids have big plans and I have no doubt that they will do great things in life with you as their proud papa!
Thanks, Shannon! I certainly appreciate now all the little times that we spend together. Stuff that I thought was wasted time a year ago is “quality time” now. Isn’t it funny how we look at things differently when we can feel the time limit?
Wow, beautiful. On all accounts. I’m so glad they both found programs that were good for them; I had a friend go back to get his second bachelor’s in electrical engineering and he’s had no regrets. I couldn’t agree with you more about the apathy in this day and age. I guess it’s good to see people caring about SOMETHING. Though I can’t lie: I’m actually happy about what happened.
That sounds like a good omen! Electrical engineering just seems like the perfect fit for Nick, too. He’s lightning fast with math calculations and loves electronics.
Awww, sweet and wonderful post. I cringe every time I think about my babies growing up and leaving the nest. I just want to hold them in my arms every minute until their ready to leave, you know? As for the bats, EEEWWW!!! Bats just creep me out 🙂
I’m a couple years out from this moment, but only a couple. I can only imagine what that’s going to be like…bittersweet, to say the least. It sounds like your children are well on their way and that you’ve done right by them.
You should be proud.
I’ve heard from parents that have been through it that driving home is a very difficult drive. Maybe I’ll let Cheryl drive and get hammered 😉