Spreading the wings

[Mike Jackson]

A few people probably remember seeing Tyler and Corey at a few of the Letterheads meetings in the early '90s. We have pictures of him spreading paint around at the 20th anniversary meeting in Denver, and I am sure a few of you bought chocolate bars from them in Fargo a year or so later.

Tomorrow, right after lunch, we are heading to Laramie, Wyoming to drop Tyler off for his first year of college. Wow, that will make all of you feel old! While I am sure it will change a few times, he is delcaring ART as his major. He is actually more into video graphics and editing than art, but that is more or less where that program is right now at UW.

We will unload the van on Saturday, have lunch and drive home. That is also his 18th birthday. Corey, on the other hand, will be a freshman in high school.

I would normally hesitate to make this post, but I know a lot of the people here got to be around them when they were little.

Best regards,
Mike Jackson

[Kelly Thorson]

I suppose it is like any other profession, kids take an interest in what they grow up with.
As a parent it is rewarding to see them place value on the things that we do. While raising them we are often unaware of how the everyday things are shaping their futures.

I have one who is in the sign industry part time and two who are very into art. One has come home to farm. Three of mine are into photography, two work in computer programming - we've had computers in our home since they were first introduced and Jim has taught courses as well as worked at computer repair part time. I remember my son showing me how he could type imaginary stories on his pillow when he was about 5 and my daughter in grade three told a story of how someday we would be able to speak to people all over the world through our computers....the kids all laughed at her...it is amazing to see how far things have come in twenty years...amazing and scary!

The sign industry is changing at an incredibly rapid pace. I wonder how many sign painters as we know them will be around in twenty years. With the way the digital world is exploding I suspect it wil be a very different shop from what we know.

Good luck to Tyler, the great thing about spreading your wings is knowing the nest is still there when you need a retreat from the real world.

[Richard Bennett]

As a father of 5, I know you and your wife are dealing with a mixed bag of emotions. I have tried to expose my kids to as many different things as I possibly could, I guess to try to build the confidence in them that they needn't be afraid to try anything. As we speak, they are witnessing their 42 year old father reinvent himself. Dear ole daddy finally decided what he wanted to be when he grew up! I believe in this day and age, we tend to put too much of an emphassis on money. I keep reiterating to them to not go into any proffession merely for the money, have seen too many people who make decent money but hate their jobs. My theory is this, find something that you really like, that you would do for free, work at building your skills in that to be the best you can. When you like what you do and your good at what you do, the money will come. Probably why I haven't given up my "day job" as a milkman yet. Anyways, I know you are extremely proud and I wish you and yours the best of luck, enjoy watching your young eagle spread his wings!

[Kent Smith]

Wow, they all grow so fast when we are not around to watch the progress. Before you know it, you will be like me with 5 grandkids, the oldest now a teenager. I remember the first day of college for me and my girls, a real milestone. Tell Tyler to concentrate on the classwork he has initially and not worry about a major. After the first two years, his future path will become more clear.

Good luck Mom and Dad with this new era. You kids are too young for that too.

[Mike Jackson]

Hi all,
We are back home today. We pulled his car on a U-Haul "dolly" to Laramie (Friday), so we had him in the van all the way. In doing that, we had plenty of time to get to talk to him and say what we needed to say. We pulled into the motel and I unhooked his little car. He went to the college and checked into his dorm on his own, then unloaded the stuff he had in the car. The college was having a Casino Night at the dorm central and he stayed out until 1:30 AM. We met his room mate on Saturday, along with his family. Nice kid, and valedictorian at his school. I think Tyler got lucky on his room mate.

After a little time in the Student Union checking out his high priced college textbooks, we headed home. I wasn't sure how all that would go, but really it went well. He is ready and we feel good about everything we did over the years to get him to that point.

After I dropped off the trailer, I stopped in a sign shop near the motel and asked if they needed any help....suggesting Tyler needs to make about $50-60 per week for spending money. I don't think the guy knew anything about me or our shop in Jackson Hole, but I told him Tyler had been around a sign shop all his life. I don't know if Tyler will get the job or not, but it would be a nice way to make a few bucks and not cost the shop owner a fortune either.

All in all, we feel pretty good about the whole college experience.

Mike

[Ray Smith]

And how the time does fly by.My,"baby" girl turned 40 in May.Our sons are 36 and 33.Unfortunately the youngest who showed real promise early on(he's ambidextrous to boot)elected not to stay with art.The other two enjoy art but that is where their interest ends.

My youngest granddaughter(now 13)exhibited some interest but has now found out that members of the opposite sex are more interesting.

We are expecting another grandchild in December so maybe there is hope yet.

[Raymond Chapman]

Congratulations Mom and Dad. Those are tough times and you begin to wonder if what you've done over the past 18 years is enough to prepare them for what is ahead...but, somehow they manage to retain a lot more of what we do and say than we think they are absorbing.

Your boys have great examples, so don't sweat the small stuff. There will probably be a few bumps ahead for both of them, but they will be able to deal with the bumps (and the mountains) because they've had great examples.

With genes from Darla and Mike how could they be anything else but terrific?

Wow....that means that I'm getting old. I still remember playing with Tyler's Cherrios when he was in his high chair.

Mike....remember when I told you that those years would pass quickly? See, I was right! In another 10 years you will be my age now and probably have some grandkids to spoil. It only gets better and better.