[dvh]

Congratulations on your daughter, your outlook on life, and feeling the pride you do when she "succeeds" at life.

My children are 11 and 7 and I understand exactly how you feel. My daughter turns 8 next week and there is a certain sadness I feel at every birthday. Sadness only because they need me a little less each year. Sure, when tragedy (for a child) strikes I am the first they go to- but I miss combing hair, running to the store for children's tylenol at 2:00 a.m., and carrying them when they are tired.

A week ago the children were fighting, being unreasonable, and yelling. I looked at my exasperated wife and said, "20 years from now we would do almost anything to have even this moment back". She agreed and we laughed.

Children helped me understand that the joy in life is the journey, not the destination. They have given me more than I could ever repay- they have made me a better person.

Again, congratulations!