I can’t believe Paxton is going away to college! How can that be possible? I am both elated for him as his new adventure begins…and a little sad he will be so far away in Boston. Marla and I always felt he was very intelligent. I mean, come on…just look at this little guy! You just know he is destined for greatness!

I told Marla,….”Look at him. He can scoop with his finger…AND hold a spoon. Am I crazy or is he pretty darn great?”

He can’t read yet but for some reason he was fascinated with the business page of the paper!

I remember the day his dad and I walked with him in front of Lucile’s in Boulder.

Lisa is a superb Mom in every way. She taught Paxton to dance at a young age. He later developed a great Cossack dance!

Marla taught the boys how to make waffles at an early age to make them independent and able to provide meals for themselves.

Early driving in our kitchen. We loved having them spend the night once a week!

When my Mom visited from California she loved to share stories of her childhood and Paxton was always a very patient listener!

Paxton loves hiking with his brother Logan, his best friend!

Marla took Paxton and Logan from the age of 6 months to visit her Mom in her care center. They went every weekend we were in town. This brought out an amazing sense of empathy in him, a wonderful aspect of his character!

Marla taught Paxton to do checkout at our Wesco Fabrics’ warehouse sales. Our clients loved seeing the boys helping out! They worked in the summer sorting or shredding documents, making samples, and moving small bolts of fabric.

Paxton received permission to skip a few high school classes to attend some of the Conference On World Affairs at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He loved sessions on global affairs, politics, and economics.

Nothing better than hikes with our grandsons!

Paxton and Logan taught the twins to make waffles. He has always been a good teacher.

Paxton loves discussions on almost any topic. He is talking to our visiting French friend Philippe about the state of current politics.

Rodin’s sculpture of “The Thinker” at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor Museum is a very apropos spot for a group shot with our Grandsons!

Paxton’s “We The People” debate team competed in the national championships in Washington D.C. He is a natural speaker with an elevated intellect! I have tried to steer him toward law school and possible politics, though I think he prefers the idea of a history professor.

This Youtube video is an impromptu discussion of Paxton questioning his high school “We The People” teacher, Jeff Reiman, about Universal Healthcare. Mr. Reiman is an attorney (Harvard Law School) who became a teacher 13 years ago, making a significant impact on many students. Marla strongly recommends watching this video to learn about healthcare history in the U.S.

Fighting finish in cross country!

One can really learn about a grandchild’s character, interests, and curiosity by taking them totally out of their element and immersing them in a foreign environment. We will never forget this dinner across the river from Wat Arun in Bangkok last year with our amazing travelers!

The boys hiking in the Balinese Highlands outside of Ubud. Both of them were fascinated by Bali Hindu, the predominant religion on the island.

Paxton adores all his cousins and loves spending time with them! They really look up to him!

Paxton is very fortunate to have a fabulous dad like Ray who took him on a week-long tour of colleges in the northeast. A few months later Boston College flew him out for final interviews for the prestigious Gabelli Presidential Scholarship. The 15 students who receive this full-tuition scholarship work together for their 4-year experience, meeting weekly. Marla and I both cried with joy when he called to tell us he received the Gabelli scholarship!

Family is everything!

Paxton’s kindness was on display with the care of his Mimi on a family reunion on the Big Island last March.

We were so happy and a little spoiled when the boys brought lunch for all of us last week!

The Boys help their Mom celebrate a big birthday in Laguna Beach.

My heart goes out to Lisa as she spends as much time as possible with her firstborn before he leaves for college next week.

I can’t wait to see what direction Paxton takes while on his path of adventure, intellectual immersion, and higher education experiences. He will travel the world on his college breaks and in the summer learning and doing service work as part of his Gabelli Scholarship. They are looking for tomorrow’s leaders and I know Paxton will make his mark. I wish him good health, self-discovery, and happiness!

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.