Gradjeation!

Don D

On my wall I have framed a June 25, 1897 handwritten account of my Grandaddy's balance sheet at Mississippi A&M. It shows about $37 in credits and debits for the year, or semester, not sure which. Long Maroon history in my family. My dad, my brother, me, my son, and tomorrow we go for the last time. The daughter walks the stage to get her masters in school counseling. She's got a job in a wonderful school district near Memphis and soon comes off my payroll. I may drink a salted blender full of something tomorrow nite. x:D

marc

Congrats!

Whirlwind

I know from friends' experiences that getting the last kiddo off the Daddy Payroll is, indeed, an occasion to celebrate. And a young woman close to me (BF's daughter) has recently and happily started a career as a middle school counselor so....it's all good. But don't despair that it's "the last". After all, you're so young (and spry) that you can still anticipate the gradjeation of grandkids from Mississippi A&M, right?

JudyT929

Congrats! Don! You have reason to be a proud papa!

Dasher

Yep, you raised an over-achiever, too. Congrats to the entire family. Now tell her to start the real job!

ritaanz

Memphis? Is that far from home? Who gets to keep the puppy?

Don D

Right now the puppy's great-grandmother (my mother) is keeping the puppy. But soon I think the daughter will take her. Memphis is about 150 miles north.

LarryC

Congratulations, Don. You will now receive the biggest raise of your life. My "day" is coming in about two years, God and professors willing.

lhill

Congratulations, Don. It is indeed a great day. A&M students rule! (In our case it's Texas A&M, but hey, cousins under the skin)

Linda

Don D

It'll always be 'A&M' to the diehards, although it changed years back to Mississippi State University. I think we also 'share' Jackie Sherill in common.

lhill

Yup, Don. And the rumor is true, we do bleed maroon.

Linda

National Guard

We are only at the beginning! One freshman in college and four more to go!xpray

Don D

It's too late to tell you to 'save'. I'll pay for the rest of my life. But, that's what parents are for, after all.

National Guard

He he, save! Right now I'm saving for drivers licenses (yes two) Class fees for drivers ed (we have to pay for it here in MD). Drivers ed cost about 300-350! then, the big one - car insurance! Pretty scary.

HRinNH

NG, I have felt your pain...twice.

When I took driver's ed (not saying how long ago) it was an after school class and I earned 1/4 credit for it. But nowadays, kids have to take driver's ed if they want their license before turning 18. We paid $200 for one daughter to take it through her high school but the other daughter was homeschooled so we paid $300 for an independent instructor. Car insurance is a whole 'nother story....

Don D

Be prepared to spend at least that much each semester for books. Student loan programs don't include books.

irenesmsaclaims

Don, congratulations to your daughter on her gradjeation. Sounds like a family tradition to go to A&M! If it would make everyone feel better, I owe $46,000 in parent loans for two children for undergrad alone. I would say that this debt will survive me, but I hear it goes away when you do.
Still, I would rather be indebted for this than anything else I can think of.

hhaynal

Congratulations, Don! It is a proud moment for both you and your daughter to share. I commend you and every other parent who has scrimped, saved, and yes, taken out the mighty loans to give your kids that edge in the workforce for which they may, or may not, truly appreciate the sacrifice.

Both myself and my husband paid our way through undergrad and graduate programs. I am still paying on my loans and will continue for years to come. I also watch my niece finish her second year at Pitt, not paying a dime, barely working over the summer, and being totally ungrateful to her parents for their respective sacrifices to allow her to attend. I guess I am old school believing that if you pay for it yourself you seem to fully appreciate the results.