I am a blessed father

My daughter is amazing.

(I know -- I've bragged about her before, but I can't help myself)

I'll never forget when, at the age of about 1 year (before she could talk), Molly would sing along with familiar melodies on the radio, matching pitch perfectly. Then within the next couple of years, she was writing her own songs on the piano.

At 8 years, we asked her if there was an instrument that she would like to learn to play. She quickly responded, "The violin!" A short time later, we just happened to stop at a yard sale where they had two "her-sized" violins for sale. That was the best $75 dollars we ever spent.

She is now a second-year violin performance major at University of West Florida. She has aspirations of getting her Masters and most likely a doctorate. But in the mean time:

- She is a member of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra (NSFO)
- She is a provisional member of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra (PSO)
- She is the volunteer director of the strings program for inner-city kids at the Belmont Arts Center in Pensacola
- She is making a living (no, really) with her orchestra gigs (including the Pensacola Opera), playing for weddings, corporate events, etc. and teaching private violin lessons.

We got to see her play with the NSFO on Friday night. Wonderful.

Saturday night, Molly and I went out for dinner and then spent some time at Starbuck's. That's the first time we've been able to spend time together, just the two of us since I-don't-know-when. It was great. We mostly talked and theorized about "Lost".

Beth and I prayed for it, and now we're witnessing the fact that she is going to be ready (at least from a practical sense) for us to move away. It won't be easy, but knowing that she is becoming a gracious and responsible young woman makes it tolerable.

Love you, Molly. We're proud to be known as "Molly's parents".