My oldest daughter answered the phone today.
“Hello, dad,” she said.
“Who is this?” I asked.
I haven’t seen her much these days. Seen infomercials for Greek showerheads more frequently than her.
I’m not worried enough to put her on a milk carton yet. The infrequent updates keep me satisfied for now.

  • Somebody saw her come in for her cell phone charger today.
  • My wife reported that she talked to Micah last night.

    I really shouldn’t complain. She’s been living in our living room for the summer before returning to college in two weeks. I’ve had her mostly to myself, free of other obligations or concerns.

    The wedding changed all of that this week. Her close friend is getting married today and there’s more build-up than a new Twilight movie. There’s the bachelorette party, making sure somebody sews the garter, frost the cupcakes, rehearse for the wedding party.

    And that’s just Day 1.

    Not sure when she last slept in her borrowed cot in the living room this week. Behind a makeshift curtain, papers, books usually can be found on her bed. In one corner, folded clothes are stuffed into a bookshelf. Her guitar usually sits next to her bed and the laptop can be seen sticking out from underneath the chair.

    In two weeks, it will be empty. I will load up bins, totes, and back packs in the van to take her and her sister, Lindsey, to college in Idaho. I’ve done this before with Micah. Now it will be two.

    When I return I will joke about enjoying the quiet. So much less drama now, I will tell you. Guess I’m getting closer to a chaos-free home we will chortle together.

    Ha, ha. That’s a good one.

    But we know the truth.

    I will miss them both terribly.