It’s not hard to see in these pictures how quickly time passes. How quickly our boy has grown.

But there is also something else, which I will tell him.

A look back at one of our pandemic successes and our relationship with Guy Fieri. 

On that big day, when we took our first-born child to college, no moment moved me to write. No memories of our baby girl moved me to tears. Because I must have known we’d get to this point.

During another break, with only the gentle hum of the interstate as our soundtrack, and sincerity in her voice, she asks me this:

"Do you think I'll be famous?"

The pandemic canceled Blakely’s art show. But thanks to the internet, the show can go on!

Our road through elementary school has been long. We’ve been here for twelve straight years, in fact, and it all comes to an end this week.

I am not ready for any of this, and it breaks my heart that our children are moving on from so many of the things and times that have brought them such joy.

And that night, by the viburnum at the end of our driveway, we laid a beautiful little bird to rest.

A few of my poems were inspired by watching by children swing. This is one of them. It’s about letting them go.

They will share their inside jokes of things that happened in a Cooperstown barracks or a car ride back from Kenansville. They'll likely still call each other by the nicknames they've given each other. 

But this team, this time, and their growing up South Park, have ended. 

A poem about dreams and children.

There’s a daycare in my building. I can see their playground from my office.

I want to scream to the children playing thirteen stories below: Run! Hop into a Cozy Coupe and escape! Don’t ever grow up!  

My reflections on an amazing week in Cooperstown.

Our boys will always have the memory of this amazing team. They will forever remember how their siblings and family members cheered and hugged them after every game. They will tell the stories of this week to children of their own one day.

A poem about finding yourself.

One of my favorite pictures, and a poem that I wrote to go with it.

A simple poem about what a father wishes for his children.

And for himself.

A poem about rediscovering joy.

On the passing of childhood, and having a child small enough to fall asleep in my embrace.

A wish that my children will realize the special bond they share.

A poem inspired by watching my son race to the swings in the final days of summer vacation.