He left this morning in his own car; purchased with money he earned going to a job when he would rather be running with friends or creating music and video on the laptop he purchased with money earned at the same job.  It is a creative job and he is lucky to have it, you know.  This morning he chose his own clothes, declining last evening to let me wash and press the traditional dress slacks.  Last month he was awarded an academic letter for grades that have steadily improved as he ascended the incline toward graduation – steadily improved but for one bout with senioritis which produced a cough in am otherwise fun subject.  He has had two girlfriends this year – the beautiful altruistic one mama likes and the sultry cosmopolitan one-and some anonymous females nominated him for prom attendant. This morning he walks across the stage to receive that all important high school diploma, but he has already been around the world and enjoyed music and performance success with greater ease than his predecessors.

Congratulations, Philip, you are a fine young man of character; you will do well in whatever you put your mind and hand to.