For me July 4 marks the beginning of a special summer. At the summer's terminus my oldest son will be leaving for college. It's exactly what he wants and it's totally what my wife and I want for him. He has worked so hard and accomplished so much and deserves to have a rewarding college experience. So, if it's really what we all want, then why will it be so hard for all of us to see him go?

Well, the answer is easy. He has been a remarkable son. Respectful, compassionate, trustworthy and a pleasure to be around. He has been a fantastic brother as well. The change in the house will be enormous. The fact of the matter is that just because he will be attending a college five hours from home, he will never stop being all of the things that I mentioned and more. It's his time to experience all that life has to offer and he deserves the best. I plan to do everything in my power to help him fulfill his hopes and dreams.

I look at this time as an opportunity to be able to spend a little more time with my two other sons. They will feel the difference in the house as well and I hopefully can help them get through the transition by doing some special things with each of them. They are in the formative years and every little bit of quality time is a benefit.

Come September, to help myself handle the situation, I plan to immerse myself in my work. The InLab software is one of my ideas. Beta testing will be winding down, but work on cerecdoctors.com will be ramping up as the 4.0 software nears release. So, bring on the work - it's good therapy. Feeling fulfilled at work makes everything better.

As for now, the final summer before college has a special meaning. It's all about spending time together as a family. Not just hanging out, but really enjoying each other. We have some great plans and they begin right now. I plan to cherish each and every day and look forward to the future with excitement. It's not the end. It's a new beginning.

Find your own balance between work and play. Work hard for fulfillment and play hard for yourself and your family. Do it now! Each day needs to be maximized, whatever you are doing. Most of all live, love, laugh. Time passes by quickly.