Moving on

The next few days are going to be difficult around the Kreiger house. Slowly, clothes are being packed and checklists are being finalized. We will be delivering Colten to IU and then hopping a flight to Florida to do the same for Cassie at Ave Maria. I'm excited for them to get on with this part of their lives, but at the cost of being bittersweet for me. This will be the first year in eight that I will not have one of my kids at the high school with me every day. Colten has adjusted to college life with a fair degree of success. Cassie is really starting to feel the nerves associated with leaving the comfort of home and family, and I hurt for her. I know she will be fine and will have a great experience, meet lots of new friends, get a great education, and continue her playing career under the tutelage of an excellent coach. Still, just as I tear up at every wedding reception's father-daughter dance, I'm going to struggle mightily with letting my baby girl spread her wings and move into the next major phase of her life.

I know this is supposed to be my basketball blog, but basketball has been an incredibly powerful bond between Cassie and me. It will be strange to go to practice or fill out a lineup card that does not include my favorite #22. I pray that Cassie, Tabby, Paigey, and Molly can all make the adjustment successfully to college. I also hope that some of their experiences as Lady Cavaliers may someday come in handy as they wrestle with the inevitable hurdles that they will be asked to clear in life. They are prepared, they have paid their dues. Indeed, it is time to move on.