Everyone grows up

The painting above was done by artist and comedian Craig Mahoney. I had not realized that there is fan-art out there that focuses on the theme of Calvin and Hobbes growing up. I like the painting above and the one below. Though the one below is done by a different artist, it pairs up well as the sequel to the one above.

As the father of three daughters, who have now grown up, and a grandfather of multiple grandchildren, the cartoon below—author unknown—completes the set.

We all grow up. But, in our children and grandchildren we can often catch a glimpse of the days of our youth. We hope that we have passed on to our young ones the ability to be creative. And, we often hope that they can avoid the excesses of Calvin while retaining his great imagination.

Yes, I still miss Calvin and Hobbes. And, at times, I also miss my childhood. It is a good thing to be a grandfather. But, like the drawing above, I get teary-eyed when I see our grandchildren playing and growing up happy. I feel nostalgia and sigh for the days when my body could still easily climb a tree and swing from a branch. Yet, my greatest happiness is to see the children and grandchildren, grown and growing, happy and safe.

May God continue to bless them and to keep them happy and safe.