Next Chapter - College Graduation and Beyond

4 weeks and 5 weeks from today, my sons will graduate from college. Graduation is an integral part of my life every year at this time because I work at a college, mostly with senior students. Every year, I get a lump in my throat at some point during graduation weekend - all of those terrific young people going out into the world, whether they are ready or not

This time, I'm watching the process from the family side and I'm choking up months before the event. There are things I'm very much looking forward to, like no more tuition payments and yet I get teary-eyed when I get an e-mail from the colleges about the graduation weekend activities. I can only guess it is related to the renegotiation of roles and relationships that come with these big changes. We certainly moved into a new kind of relationship with our sons when they went off to college, but were still called upon at various times to be the parent. Now, we'll be able to be... well, I'm not sure what yet. They'll still be on our insurance for a while, and it is likely we'll be helping them out when possible with finances and transitions, and who knows when we'll actually kick them off our cell phone plan, but it still will be different.

We (especially me) find ourselves thinking and talking more about retirement. We're not there yet, but now hope to turn our financial focus toward that goal. The earliest I can retire will be in just over 5 years. I'm enjoying my work more than I have in many, many years, so it wouldn't surprise me if I stayed in the harness later, but am looking forward to getting to the point where it is a year-to-year decision. But, it does seem strange to be able to focus on what feels a bit selfish -- just us.

So, it is with mixed emotions that we approach this year's graduation season. Pray for all of us - especially the son who is approaching graduation with dread and anxiety. Life beyond college, I assure him, is a pretty fun place to be - even 32 years later!