I know I write a few too many editorials on family interests, but I have to indulge myself a few more times over the next few years as our kids go from school age to young adults.

This week is the graduation of a great group of kids at Mount Si High School. I have watched these kids grow from kindergartners to young adults and my own spitting image, James, is among them.

I thought the end of the football season was bad, watching James play the last football game of his career. But coming to grips with the fact that he will soon be on his own is even tougher to take.

Karen and I have given him most of the growing-up advice we can. The first piece of advice was to understand the difference between right and wrong. He gets it right most of the time, and the wrongs have typically been pretty minor. He did drive the freshly painted truck through a fence because he was in too much of a hurry to get to a basketball game. Luckily the fence was fixable, the truck received only minor scratches and nobody was hurt. Paying for the fence and the subsequent ticket was probably the most painful part of the experience. At least for him.

It was always important for our kids to understand the idea of respecting people, especially adults. I think we did a pretty good job here and only wish more kids respected those who have a bit more experience at life. Respect can create many opportunities for a person. A lack of respect closes doors quickly.

The third was to take advantage of any working opportunity and to work his fanny off. For the most part, he seems to be a hard worker and realizes hard work will get you a lot further than a big mouth. Although one of the bad habits he may have picked up over the years was a thorough understanding of typical cuss words. I would like to say he got that from his mother, but in reality, I think he got it from his uncle. A few of those cuss words even created some extra yardage situations on the football field last year. Luckily, we still won the game.

The fourth piece of advice was to value family. There are only a few people in the world who will be with you no matter what happens and most of those people will be family. Spend time with them because the time is short at best and you can never get it back once it’s gone.

The last few months have found his mother, Karen, and I moving from disciplinarian to co-adults. Yes, the towel snapping continues and he likes to flex his muscles in front of the old man, but I tell him wisdom always wins over youth.

We are moving into that next phase where there probably won’t be the daily discussions and he will be figuring things out on his own a bit more. I kind of guess it moves into a true friendship in which you like to hang out on occasion – just relaxing together, going hunting, maybe some fishing, or watching football on a Sunday. I have learned that you never quit relying on your parents until they are gone and I’m hoping he relies on us whenever he needs something.

Of course, there are some benefits to his departure for school. We can finally steam-clean his room, actually put sheets on the bed and deodorize it so it is inhabitable. Food will last a bit longer in the refrigerator and cupboards until he comes home for whatever reason. Dirty clothes will be cut down substantially and his sister, Lynnae, will have the bathroom to herself. Yes, she can be just as messy.

I’m hoping I’ll be able to find all my tools, although the search really doesn’t begin until he heads to Idaho. I will be able to drive my own truck, even on homecoming or prom nights. One downside is the furniture that will be stacking up in our garage for when he gets his own place. Of course, my wife thinks this is a great thing, as it gives her an excuse to get new furniture for us at home. The idea of his own place will also give his grandmother renewed enthusiasm for garage sales, fully outfitting the kitchen with all the necessities.

The most important thing, though, is the move from just a kid to a young adult. A young adult who has lifelong friends in his parents. Great things will be happening to you James, take advantage of them all. Thanks for being a great person to raise.

And to all the Mount Si graduates of 2006, thanks for making the last 13 years in the Valley so special. We can share pictures at your 20th class reunion.