Thinking about children today and was reminded of a piece by Erma Bombeck I'd cut out to the paper and put in my oldest son's baby book. She referred to children as "kites". You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you're both breathless ... they crash ... you add a longer tail. .. they hit the rooftop ... you pluck them out of the spout .. you patch and comfort, adjust and teach. You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they'll fly.

Finally they are airborne, but they need more string and you keep letting it out and with each twist of the ball of twine, there is a sadness that goes with the joy because the kite becomes more distant and somehow you know that it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that bound you together and soar as it was meant to soar .. free and alone.

Only then do you know that you did your job.

Children are wonderful creatures to watch grow up. It's a lifetime of joy!