A dragon lives forever, but not so, little boys
Painted wings and giants' rings make way for other toys
One grey night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff, that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar...
Puff the Magic Dragon, Leonard Lipton/Peter Yarrow

Five minutes ago, my oldest grandson was born.

Four minutes ago, he learned to walk.

Three minutes ago, he started talking.

Two minutes ago, he came to me with his favorite books for me to read with him.

He’s growing up at the speed of light.

Grandfather (it’s what he calls me)

One minute ago, we played in the tent that is his fort and pretended to be pirates “Yo Ho, Yo Ho a pirate’s life for me…”

Just now he started pre-school. For the first time in his life, he was no longer in the company of a member of his family. He has entered the real world.

There is a long journey ahead, but there is so much opportunity before him.

Experiences, friendships, good and bad days, eureka moments and moments of profound confusion.

He’s growing up at the speed of light.

Where the road will take him, no one knows. He started the journey holding onto our hands for each step. And now, for the first moment, he let go to find his own way.

Moments ago, he needed someone there every second. Now, the transition to independence begins in earnest. This is the end of one beginning and the beginning of the time we must learn to let him find his way.

It is hardest thing you’ll ever experience.

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