Tuning a Corner
Today our son takes an exam, attends his last day of class at the UW, and steps into the abyss of fathomless adulthood. It seems like just any other day in a lot of ways, since the summer has been so busy, and the rest of August is going to be filled with frenzied activity Subliminally all week, however, I’ve been regarding it as more and more of a milestone. He has, too, I think, although to say so would violate a lifetime’s studied nonchalance about school in general and artificial life milestones in particular. This is belied by the fact that he’s done well - very well - the last 2+ years.
Since graduate school doesn’t seem to be in his immediate plans, this really does seem to shut the door we opened walking him over to the cooperative preschool 18 or 19 years ago. We’ve gotten through it. He’s gotten through it. There’s more anxiety to come for all of us as he sets a life course, begins to feel the first tugs of the cosmic undertow that pulls us all to the other end of life. Right now, though, it’s time to congratulate him on a job very well done, and surreptitiously, when old joints allow, pat ourselves on the back, too.
