My generation did their college time more years ago than I care to share. In fact, our children have all graduated as well:) Now it is time for the grand angel generation to spread their wings and fly into a different world. Tobyn is the first of this generation to graduate, and he chose a different path, LIT (Lamar Lite:) It is actually Lamar Technical College, offering practical skills in a world where there a far too few practical degrees. In our day many of us majored in Liberal Arts, General Business, or History, somehow hoping to figure out a career path from a very general education. Tobyn is a graduate of a different, and many ways financially better, degree plan. We watched EMS grads, police academy grads, medical data process grads, until finally came the Commercial HVAC specialists. He does love this work, and during his education he managed to acquire all the tools necessary to start the job right. We all see a bright future of job security and potential entrepreneurship for Tobyn. In fact, one of Matt’s successful neighbors in Golden owns his HVAC company, and has done quite well with it. There is certainly job security in Colorado for anyone that can keep that heat on.

After graduation the family joined in a Beaumont-style seafood extravaganza at Pappadeux, of course. Tobyn’s sister Paisley joined us, down from UT, having to fit in finals and papers due online. She wouldn’t miss it, no matter how difficult. Paisley had some exciting news from her studies; she has been chosen to study art for the summer in Rome. While she has chosen a different path from her brother, she still has a level head. Minoring in finance will give her the option of becoming a buyer of art for some well-established art gallery in NYC (she hopes:) In the meantime, on to Rome!

Honestly, I haven’t been back to the old homestead in Beaumont since Dad passed. Joey inherited the old place, in more than a little need of renovation. Dad was well into his 90’s when he joined the Choir Celeste and his beloved Carol. He was not into redecorating in those last years. Joey was the only family member ready to take on the project, and he outdid himself. Carpet was ripped up, and wood floors added; old fabric-covered walls were re-textured in “tree bark” design and painted a nautical navy; and most importantly the pool was completely resurfaced with a new water wall added. An old “room to hold junk” became a gym. No wonder Tobyn looked like he had added some muscle tone since I last saw him. He never looked better:) Tobyn’s room was, well, the room of a college student. I’m sure you can pick it out from the pictures. Can’t wait for the next family graduation; I’m betting she’ll make it to that gallery in New York!