School started this week. My daughter Anna started 2nd grade and I am back teaching at Scottsdale Community College. I saw kids going away to college on the news – yes the news – and it made me realize how quickly time passes. Soon Anna will be in college. Part of me wanted to tell her “STOP GROWING NOW!” Once I realized that my yelling would not help, I realized my job is to appreciate her everyday.
That was the advice that my dad gave me as a child when our dog Rum died. In the midst of my sadness I said, “Dad, what do you do to prevent feeling like this – just not get a dog?” He said, “No, you simply enjoy it as much as possible while you have it.”