I’m often conflicted about how much to post about my son; when he was little, I was didn’t have social media and I was always concerned about not putting photos. But ,I wrote about him a lot and I still do, because he’s so central to my life and my thoughts . I try to frame it in a fashion where folks can relate as parents or children, beyond my personal stuff. And, ultimately, I like leaving these easter eggs for him; maybe he’ll stumble upon the writings on a rainy day, or after I’ve left the building and be reminded how much I love him. True fact.
Anyway, this one is from this past May, a time of bittersweet, happy, and emotional moments, as my son Jude graduated from Eckerd College in St. Pete, with his computer science degree. It was a build up of several events over the weekend, culminating in a Sunday morning commencement, May 19 (in the sweltering heat, I might add). Lots of teary moments for me, especially when I saw him coming through the processional, looking so happy (first shot). True cliché, but four years go so fast, I remember when we were on the campus tour not so long ago wondering if this was the place. And really, the build-up is not just this past weekend, but the last 21 years, as I watch him become who he is.
He is happy to get on to the next stage of his life, but I also think of that (often) idyllic campus on the beach, with his friends and his community and how it must be kind of sad to leave all that. St. Pete is cool and has some funk and I enjoyed going down to visit him a couple times a year and make memories there, as well – we went to the Dali and the James, saw Gorillaz, Andy Shauf, and the Monkees; celebrated his 21st birthday at the Columbia, shopped for records at Bananas, went to a Rays game, ate out at Golden Dinosaurs (and other joints), and more. On my own, I visited the Kerouac house, Frank Lloyd Wright in Lakeland, midcentury modern in Sarasota, the St. Pete Jazz Fest; hiked at Weedon, Boyd Hill, Sawgrass, and Fort DeSoto; and explored
For my son, it was a time when he came into his own a bit, making friends, dating, working at the library, participating in board game club, starting a novel, joining a band, writing some songs, hanging on the beach, studying overseas, learning French, going out on the town with his girlfriend Ash, and otherwise, doing his thing. It is great to have him back in Nashville for awhile, but I look forward to seeing what’s next for him and wish him all the happiness in the world. More than anything, I’m just super proud of him and grateful to be his Dad
There’s a selfie of me, his mom (my x), her mom, and my bro – who all converged for the Big Day, which added a nice touch to be sure, a rare and wonderful happening. Enjoy every moment is another true cliché.
Doug Hoekstra 