<p>We didnt want to leave you
it was both our best and worst day
like the first day of kindergarten
it was time you were on your way</p>
<p>You were cast into a storm of order
some felt it to be strife
but oder took hold in you so well
a different way of life</p>
<p>While growth spurts had hit you before
at eight. at 12 and sixteen
the growth in you just this past year
is more than weve ever seen</p>
<p>Youve learned to give
to join
to share
Youve learned youre not alone</p>
<p>Youve learned of talents
long unseen
now ready to be honed</p>
<p>Youve taken on challenges
of body and mind
most parents never sought</p>
<p>But your reward will
be so sweet
an education
that cant be bought</p>
<p>The Sea is calling
the World is yours
prepared you will go forth
the bays, the rivers
the Oceans. the Seas
the Chesapeake. the Thames
the North</p>
<p>As you sail away
to the Sultana Sea
or Mississippi mud
you have with you
my constant pride
my love. my thoughts.
my blood</p>
<p>To those who fear the passing of time
and think that aging is bad
remember that its only with age
that I truly became a proud dad</p>
<p>Go KPers</p>