Commencement

I'm sure all of you have heard this word at least once in your lifetime.
Often, it's incorrectly misinterpreted, especially at high school graduation ceremonies, referred to as such.
Commencement is not an ending, but simply a new beginning.
And sometimes something has to end for something else to begin.
For me, this column will end.
As of today.
You are reading the last of "Old School Dad".
For the past few years, I've shared my experiences as a new father with those willing to log on and read every Sunday on Facebook.  I've grown in my role as a parent and every day is a new learning experience for me.
As my daughter grows older, I learn to cherish more and more the moments I have with her and my wife, who's put up with me for almost seven years now.  If my wife were Catholic, I'd call upon Pope Benedict to start the beatification process for her sainthood.
I've been blessed to have an employer that understood my desire to put my family before my career.  They adjusted my workload so I could witness the 'firsts' that had I missed, I never would have gotten back.
I've been fortunate to see my daughter crawl for the first time, take her first steps, speak her first words, and go to someone else's care during the day so her mother and I could go to work.
I've had the good luck of having my story as a new father selected among thousands for a major publishing company and published in a book read worldwide and printed in several different languages.
I've also had the feeling of gratitude when I receive an email reply from someone who enjoys this column and  says that I've helped them become a better parent.
I've also had the dissatisfaction from an occasional email from what I call a "California Parent", telling me I'm too strict and restrictive in my methods.
Being a parent is something you don't really get a second chance at doing.  At least not with the same child.
"If you bungle raising your children, I don't think that whatever else you do well matters very much."
Words of wisdom from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
As I progress in my journey as still a fairly new parent, I find that in my professional life, I tend to pay more attention to those around me who are parents or have aspirations of becoming one someday.
I see one of the DJs at the radio station I work for, eagerly anticipating the birth of his first child, sharing those thoughts he's experiencing and sharing them on his Facebook profile, and taking me up on my offer for advice after I give him a copy of one of the books in which my story is printed, as a gift.
My former co-worker, whom I would later hire as a babysitter for my daughter, suggesting to me an idea for a future column.  She has no children of her own but wants to be a mother herself someday.
A current co-worker, young, single, and childless, selflessly watching her nephew on weekends to give his parents a break, and treating my daughter at a station party like her own, asking her if she'd like a snack or something to drink, as I think about what the wonderful, kind, natural parent she will someday be, and how lucky that little one will be.
Even a business associate.  An elected official constantly generating controversy, but is insistent on shielding his family from the constant storm they have endured, but still doesn't hesitate to point out their list of accomplishments.
I see parents of all shapes and sizes, from all walks of life.  Parents and those who aspire to be parents.
Though I'm proud to be an "Old School Dad", I still have lots to learn myself.
Thus, I'm retiring this column for the purposes of 'continuing education'.  My sister column, "Ken's Korner" will also be coming to a conclusion today.
I believe that I've written all that can really be said at this stage in my life.
I can't write about children with special needs, drug or alcohol problems, or behavioral matters that come with adolescence.
Because I haven't lived it yet.
And I make a concerted effort to get my facts straight before I venture into uncharted waters.
It's refreshing to know that I have managed to help some people, especially new dads, whom, as I have, struggle to find the correct balance between family and career.
I may return to it someday, but it won't be today or in the near future.
My literary efforts will be focused on my daily journalism job, but I will be working on a novel in my spare time.
That will be my commencement.
To everyone who has supported this column for as long as they have, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt thanks.  Your dedication to sitting down and giving me a few minutes of your time on Sundays means more to me than you will ever know.
And to my wife Margie, you inspire me more than you will ever know.  You are without a doubt, my partner, my best friend, my muse, and many other things.  Without you, there would be no "Old School Dad", because there would be no "Old School Mom" to learn from.
Until next time, Happy Trails.