Our Children and Future

[DeadElephant]

My youngest turned 20 recently and introspection sets in I guess at these milestones.
My goal was to always help her be self confident, brave, and courageous. You can only hope that God provides for health, intelligence and all the other factors we simply can't control as parents.

We see our children very different than others do no matter the changes they undergo through life and the age they become.
She is currently in a study abroad program in Florence, Italy.

I realize I will always see her as this day fishing:

And her first days of dancing...


As she got older I made sure she had skills...


I encouraged her to take risks...






Then I realized that her mother had other visions and ideas for her. And she met those goals as well.

Her dancing improved...


She won a crown...


She grew into a woman..


And she makes me proud.


Now you all know. I hope you all have the same blessings!!!

We can't always be there for them but we do our best to prepare them.
I also count on my brothers, those related by blood, shared experience and ideals to look after her when I'm no longer able.
When the time comes I have full confidence she will look out for others as we have for her.
I don't see the future in all the news reports and what they would have you believe but I do see it in our children.

The world still has hope and a future we should look forward to.
God Bless

Now I'm way over my post count for the year.

[Mazin]

Congratulations Dad on raising a well rounded young Lady!

[Great-Kazoo]

It's sometimes a very tough road, hopefully they become smarter than we were. As well as accomplish more in their early years, again than we did.
It doesn't always turn out that way or is their journey a smooth one. However when they do, taking time to say we love them as well as how proud we are is what really matters.

Your daughter went to school overseas for her education. Ours did as well, only it was with an F-18 squadron. Whether it was her H.S graduation, from boot camp or watching her handle livestock on their place in CA. Her recognition and thanking us for how we raised her is reward enough. Not discounting the year or so of rebellious youth we, like our parents, dealt with.

Congrats, may you and yours enjoy and celebrate many more years of happiness.

[Bailey Guns]

Good job, Dad.

[StagLefty]

Well done !!!

[Zundfolge]

Mrs Zundfolge and I were unable to have any kids, so it's always a joy to see there are still some folk out there doing it right.

I hope folks like you have 4 or 5 to make up for slackers like us

[Gman]

In the same boat. First wife couldn't have kids and I really didn't have the patience to deal with them when I was younger. Now that I have that patience, I'm too damn old.

I end up encountering people that are of the age they could be my kid and it's apparent that the values imparted to my generation didn't make it into many of them.

It makes my heart happy to see that some of you are turning out what seem to be quality human beings.

Great job, dad!

Sent from my electronic leash using Tapatalk

[Squeeze]

Even though our children will grow up and develop into their own beings, it is our guidance as parents that paves the way. Raising them with proper values and building a good moral foundation is a great start and it looks like you did a great job. I am blessed to say my older son (who is now 20) is an amazing young man and I am blessed that he turned out to be smart and wise beyond his years.

[wctriumph]

Awesome. Mine just turned 30 this month and I could not be prouder.

Great job there Dad!