Off to school!

For years I have taken Michael and Emmy's pictures on the first day of the school year, usually together as they waited for the school bus in front of their house, but this year was different. On Thursday Emmy headed off for her freshman year at university, which is when the family gathered together for this photo on their front porch. Then two days later, it was Mike's turn to leave. I took another picture that day, minus Emmy, of course, and without the dogs. That's the extra picture for today. 

Six of our grandchildren are in college this year. Michael in Indiana, Emmy in Ohio, Jake, Alec, and Chance in Arizona. We won't be seeing too much of any of them for the next nine months. The oldest grandchild, Carrie, lives and works in Memphis, and we haven't seen her since last October. And the oldest grandson, Bryan, will finish his last semester at Michigan in December. To round things off, Bryan's wife, Nikki, has graduated from medical school and is doing her residency in pediatrics in New York City. I can't help wondering how they all grew up so quickly, especially as it seems as if I just went off for my freshman year. Isn't it strange how time telescopes when you look back? Fifty-five years ago looks pretty close from this perspective.