Big Ol' Bag of Tears

I've been an emotional mess today.  Our eldest Karson is an ADULT!!!  18 years, 18 years - geez.  Matt has such an eloquent way of expressing himself. He wrote the message below to the staff at SWHS.  It brought tears to my eyes.  Our first baby is an adult.  How is that possible?!?  Karson is an incredible young lady, and I admire her very much.

I can't wait to see the incredible path that she is destined to be on!

FROM MATT TO THE SWHS STAFF:

 Today is a very special day for my family.  On October 22, 2002, Tiffany and I welcomed our first child into the world.  We named her Karson Ann Deaton.  How has it already been 18 years?  (To those of you who are thinking, “Man, Deaton must have been YOUNG when she was born,” we can still be friends.  To those of you who are thinking, “Man, Deaton is so old I’m surprised he doesn’t have grandkids yet,” don’t bother talking to me anymore!)

I’m thinking about the big picture on my eldest’s 18th birthday.  The first 18 years of her life, which happen to coincide with the last 18 years of my life, have gone by very, very quickly.  On October 22, 2002, I was a 25-year-old who had been married for only 3 years and had a nice thick patch of hair on top of my head.  Today, I am a 43-year-old who has been married 21 years (at least 12 of those have been good years!), and I can see too much of my scalp when I look in the mirror.  On October 22, 2002, Karson was a bloody, screaming infant who didn’t even know how to use a toilet.  Today, she is an 18-year-old senior at South Warren High School who has taken her ACT six times and wants to go to the University of Louisville to study nursing. (And it turns out she can run pretty fast too.  Can someone say, “REGION CHAMPION SPRINTER!?")  

When I think of Karson being a senior at SWHS, there are two things that come to mind.  First, it’s helpful for us to take a big picture view of all of our students.  They come to us when they are 14, and just four quick years later, they leave us when they are 18.  That happens really fast.  We need to make the most of our time with each one of our students by connecting with them as much as we can.  Second, I wouldn’t have wanted Karson to go to high school anywhere else on the planet.  She has had an incredible amount of love, knowledge, and skills poured into her during her time as a Spartan.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for every little thing you’ve done for Karson and for every little thing you do for all the daughters and sons who walk our hallways every day.  Your work really matters!  It really matters to me, and it really matters to so many other moms and dads out there.

Would you rather do anything else with your brief time on this planet besides make a positive impact on young people?  Me neither.

Sending love, good vibes, and the Spartan Spirit your way today,

Matt

PS- John Lennon sang in “Beautiful Boy,” "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.”  I was looking back through old photos of Karson’s life early this morning, and it hit me that I had been physically but not mentally present for a lot of the moments of her life, because I was distracted by so many other things.  I’m working on being more fully present to the present and the people around me.  We only get so many moments, so it’s important to be mindful.

14 + Go with the Flow = Miles

The sweetest person in the world turned 14 on Saturday.  I'm talking about our youngest, Miles.  He is, by far, one of the most considerate human beings I know.  His smile makes your day better, and his constant need for hugs and affection make him extra snuggly.  This year his birthday landed on a Saturday.  The Friday before, he and his buddies went to Skeleton's Lair.  It was his first time going.  SL is a local haunted attraction and quite frightening.  He had a million questions prior to going.  I could tell his mind was going 100MPH trying to figure out what the night would be like.  He's not a thrill seeker by any means.  

 

He somehow survived and told us how much he liked it.

 

We started off his birthday morning with breakfast at Waffle House.  Karson wanted to do some shopping for him and picked out some of his favs...plastic practice balls and Bath and Body body wash.  She also picked him up a Squishpillow which he loved.  

Saturday was gorgeous.  We also got to celebrate our little niece Louise's 1st birthday.  She's a little dollbaby.

After the party, Miles's friend Bryce came over to stay the night.  We celebrated with some Papa John's pizza and DQ Blizzard cake.

 

Sunday was the big Titans game and sort of nasty outside.  However, that didn't stop us from heading to Nashville for some Top Golf.  We got to listen to most of the game on the radio, watch it at Top Golf and actually be in Nashville for the big WIN.  Everyone at TG was going nuts with that last touchdown.  It was the perfect end to a birthday weekend for our son.

Matt and I ordered Miles a new golf bag form Dick's which came in yesterday. He's been carrying the SWHS one loaned to him by the golf team (which has to be turned in next Sunday at the banquet).  It was the perfect time to get him a new bag.  

COVID 19 Makes Things HARD Y'all!!!

 Where do I even begin?!?  Let's start with the fact that Karson was exposed on day 1 of school from a close friend and immediately went into 14 day quarantine.  Although we didn't get her tested and she had NO symptoms, we treated her as if she had the virus and kept her closed off from everyone.  I don't think I've ever used more Clorox wipes and spray than those two weeks.  Why didn't we get her tested you ask?  Well, if we had and she produced a positive result, everyone in the house would've had to quarantine as well, per WCPS/BRADD Health Department rules.  Miles had numerous golf tournaments.  Matt needed to be at work the very first week of school.  It would've really disrupted everyone's lives had we got her tested.  Fortunately, she showed NO symptoms and never felt bad.  She did dress in a prison suit.

Post-quarantine, we spent the weekend in Louisville with her GSP pals who had planned their get together weeks prior.  It happened to be Derby weekend as well.  With all the heavy activity, along with the Breona Taylor news, exploring Louisville wasn't on the agenda.  The group had a good time though and are planning another get together soon.

Ironically, Miles had a golf tournament in Louisville that weekend, and my Mamaw usually has a Derby get together, so we ALL made the trip to Louisville.  Matt and I aren't super comfortable with Karson driving the interstate alone as she hasn't done that much at all.  Isaac didn't seem too thrilled to go to Louisville but didn't complain - at least he and Elizabeth had each other.

Golf monopolized most of our free times the last two months.  Miles managed to remain in the 5th man position the entire season and most likely has more strokes than any member on the team.  Neither Matt nor I thought he would be a key player this year, but we're happy that he was able to contribute to the team.  We're also hopeful that he will GROW a little more so we can get him some new clubs, and he can hit the ball farther.  When you're small, you have to rely heavily on your short game because your drives don't get you to the green typically.  He did manage to assist the JV team in winning the 3rd place spot in their tournament and landing in the 4th place individual spot.

It got very frustrating for him towards the end of the season. His last round (regional tournament) at Crosswinds was brutal - wet, cold and simply miserable.  The golf banquet is right around the corner, and we'll be able to put a stamp on the season.  Good thing too because lacrosse open-field and basketball is open gyms are starting up.  Life is busy as usual!

In the midst of all the golf chaos, I managed to leave my laptop on top of my vehicle after a practice round, and it flew off the top of my car and smashed.  AND, not too long after that, Matt managed to smash his car door on the side of the garage.  

Life has continued to get more complicated and weird.  After eight years at SKyPAC, I was laid off last Friday.  The COVID pandemic has been challenging for the performing arts industry.  I'm heartbroken and not sure what life looks like in the future.  I'm doing my best to stay calm and confident.  It's definitely scary though with a teenager about to enter college and another teenage driver this winter.  Please say some prayers for me and our family and the many others out there who are being challenged emotionally, physically and financially from this stupid virus!!!

We had already planned a beach trip to Destin for Fall Break.  It was very refreshing being able to take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the sand, sea and sun.  I didn't take many pictures.  I simply sat in my beach chair and enjoyed the ocean with my family and friends.  It was a great week and great reminder that everything will be okay.

This week will be spent continuing to search for a new job as well as helping Karson work on her college scholarships, essays and such.  She's still heavily leaning towards the University of Louisville.  We hope to make a campus visit soon!!!