Joran Van Der Sloot’s mom has come out and said she will not visit her son in a cell and she will no longer embrace him. Most of you are probably thinking you don’t blame her. After all, he has been accused of killing a girl in Peru in addition to the allegations of killing Natalee Holloway, the high school graduate from Alabama.

In an interview with foreign media, she indicates there had been something wrong for a long time and she probably should have gotten him help. She acknowledges he could be capable of “doing something” to Stephany Flores because she noticed he had changed. According to his mom, he could no longer tell the difference between a lie and the truth.

Many parents of adult children think their job is over when the kids leave for college, move out on their own, or head off to the military. They believe they are getting their life back after all these years and are relieved a new chapter is beginning.

I appreciate the empty nest; Neil and I have enjoyed it for the last six years. They came home during the summer and the holidays while they were in college. Now they are moving on in their careers and time with them has changed. We have to work to be sure we make the time to be together as a family because we now have to coordinate four schedules, which is no simple task.

 When I was a child, I always looked forward to summer. I knew it meant I would have the wonderful pleasure of seeing my grandparents who lived twelve hours away.  The wonder of anticipation would make the days go by with excitement because my world would be filled with adventure, love and honor upon my arrival. During these times, I laughed hard and often. I explored worlds different than my own and learned to appreciate my heritage and all that it meant. I played with cousins, listened to my grandfather’s wisdom and watched my grandmother meet every challenge with faith and determination. I was blessed beyond belief.

I know the title sounds as if I am asking dads to give me a list of items their family can purchase to give them for the annual dad’s day celebration. In fact, if you want to go ahead and make a list to help them out, I am sure they would be grateful once they pick themselves up off the floor from shock.

However, I am not speaking of tangible gifts. I am talking of the things of the heart and spirit that will last far longer and have a greater impact than any physical present could possibly represent.