I woke up at 5 a.m. this Sunday morning to drop off at the airport our oldest child, who is going on a school trip for spring break. Their singing group is going to San Francisco.

When we met up with the faculty member, he handed out the final version of the group’s itinerary. The group will be having dinner at Great Eastern, a Chinatown restaurant.

I chuckled. That was my favorite Chinese place in San Francisco. I used to go the Bay Area quite often when I first entered the VC industry. I was out there three weeks out of four each month, usually leaving Monday and coming back Friday morning on the red-eye.

I often grabbed dinner at that restaurant. Life on the road is busy and can be stressful, as emails and voice messages pile up. A meal at Great Eastern was a quick and fun way to unwind.

I mention this because as I drove to the airport, I started to think about all the time that has gone by so quickly. Maybe it’s because I’m still thinking of my Throwback Thursday post. Maybe it’s because the house is so quiet for this week. There are only two of us at home, our youngest child and I, as my wife and other children are out of town for spring break, too.

Maybe it’s because I marvel at how mature and capable my older children have become. Frankly, I’m already dreading the days when each goes away for college. I vividly remember when I went away and how excited I was at the airport. I felt exhilarated. My mother looked pretty sad.

Time flies. Now, the tables are turning.

I guess it’s all a part of life. There was a time to be single, and then, a time to be a father. One day, I’ll be a father to children who have become adults and won’t need much parenting from me.

No matter what, though, I’ll always be here for them.