My youngest son, and his adorable young wife (the Irish are enamored with beauty, wherever it lies) bought their first home, recently. It is a beautiful home, set on a forested lot, with plenty of space. Not only that, but they bought a dog, a short haired Yorkie named “Banjo” (cute name, I think)….. and, in that ultimate symbol of suburban domesticity–a mini-van (if you consider a Honda CRV a mini-van).

Funny, we never think of ourselves as growing old. But, when your children begin to accumulate all of the trappings of suburban life, the reality of their full-fledged adulthood strikes with a vengeance. I can’t help but think of that beautiful song from Fiddler on the Roof, “Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset, swiftly go the days,,,,,wasn’t it just yesterday when she was small,,,when did he grow so tall…”

I have often thought that my greatest career accomplishment was getting three children out of good, private colleges in four years, with no problems. I am so proud of all three of them, who ar