Launching Keoni

As a runner up to leaving for the next month, on Sunday evening there was a little fireworks sampling to be done since Keoni's missed the Fourth of July with his family for a couple of years now, and will again miss it and the yearly family ritual of turning last Christmas' tree into a conflagration.

Wish I had the video that Keoni did on his new iPhone 6 that was his graduation present from his mom and dad. It's way better than this one.





Still...as satisfying a this bit of arsonist voyeurism was, Toby says let's turn Keoni's missing the Fourth on its head...he will have his 2015 Fourth of July in Washington, D.C!!! We are the ones missing out on spectacular displays.

Steph was with us most of the day. Her warmth and friendship toward all the family members is memorable. We're glad she's in our world here in PA.

Monday morning came and Keoni's mom and I hid some tears watching him load up his dad's car to get to the train and begin his journey that will start with a month at Kennedy Center for orchestra and ensemble. Afterward, a brief three weeks back home, two of which will be music day camp with Aidan; then, it's off to Georgia as he begins his music studies there at McDuffie.

The morning wasn't over before we got texts from Keoni that he'd arrived and shared one of his favorite famous person's memento which I guess is in the sidewalk somewhere along his way in DC...

...and, certainly not least, his taxi ride included...

I hope Keoni waved at Michelle and Barak.

Wendy texted back: Are you staying in the Lincoln bedroom?

Keoni: The Lincoln Room actually.

Wendy: Steal the ashtrays, they don't make them anymore.