Yes, Window Stickers can make you Cry

This past Saturday, I found myself alone for most of the day. I had planned on spending the day with my daughter, but she had military obligations that kept her from visiting with me.  So there I was alone in Annapolis, while my daughter was busy running the O-Course and the E-Course and going to a mandatory March-On /Lacrosse game.  What to do? What to do? Well believe it or not - in all 4 years that my daughter has been at the Naval Academy - I really haven't been too many places.  Our normal visit goes something like this.  I arrive.  I pick her up.  We hide out in my hotel room all weekend long.  We never go out.  I make all kinds of goodies from home, bring her all her favorite home-cooked meals and we just hang out together eating good food and enjoying each other's company.  We are like little hermits. Well here I was on a beautiful Saturday morning and I thought - I will go out walking in Annapolis!  I walked all along the sea wall at the Naval Academy and admired the sail boats out in the bay. It was a beautiful sight.  I took time to admire all the buildings at the Academy and all the young men and women who walked by, dressed in uniform, devoted to their school and country.  I took time to be thankful for the opportunities my daughter has been given at the Naval Academy. I walked up the streets in downtown Annapolis and went in and out of several little shops located on Main Street.  I felt all the pride and patriotism of the Naval Academy and of Annapolis and I am happy to have been a part of that.  I will miss my trips to the Naval Academy.  I will miss the beauty of the school and the surrounding area.  I bought one small souvenir while I was window shopping. It is a window cling/sticker for my car.  It says, "My daughter is a Marine".  I admit... my eyes were quite watery as I paid for my sticker.  I guess it is time to say goodbye to one chapter and hello to the next.  One month until graduation and then....My daughter is a Marine.