Shootin' it Straight - Changing Time (Free Access)

 It’s a long, winding road from those first few years fumbling through elementary school to taking another big step toward manhood—grabbing that diploma in front of all your high school classmates.

Where did the time go?

It went into thousands of miles logged on a variety of little Honda four-strokes, with the spark arrestor promptly tossed in the trash to make the neighborhood a little less peaceful. Time slipped around the bend as you donkey-rode a bright orange kayak down the Rockcastle, having the time of your life—even if you didn’t realize it.

The clock ticked away as you scuba dived in mismatched gear, treasure-hunting in every body of water for old baits, sunglasses, and surely some golden treasures. The years flew by as you got benched for launching three-pointers in grade school against clear instructions—then celebrated with the Steph Curry hand drag anyway.

Time crept along as we swung in hammocks on our camping adventures. It stood still while you sat atop the cooler, eating state worker pies, watching your brother and me cut logs. It seemed to go in reverse as we worked late into the night, swapping every suspension part on a Jeep to make it clear the “Swampers.” Time was measured in sweat equity as I pushed your CRF70 across the seven-millionth obstacle of the day in Horse Lick just to get you back on track.

The laps around the sun have been filled with mallow dogs, fish frying, and bonfires.

Time gets away from us all. It doesn’t seem like you should be graduating and moving on to bigger things, but you are. I couldn’t be more proud. And as always, I’m looking forward to what you do next. I’m proud of the man you’ve become.

Congratulations on completing a big chapter in life, son. With high school in the rearview, the world is yours to tackle. Somewhere, there's a calendar with an allocated number of days for all of us. Spend them wisely—just as you have so far.