New students start RISD.

Several years ago, when my daughter Jamie entered RISD, I asked the school, “Do you have a send-off party for kids in California?”

They said cheerfully, “Sure — we do one in San Francisco.”

I laughed.  “I’m FROM that area, and I wouldn’t get on a plane for a send-off party.  California’s BIG.  We need our own thing down here.”

So I started doing them.

The parties grew & grew, and more & more students began to try to get into RISD.

Last night I went to a party for incoming freshmen & their parents.

The hostess, Martha, welcomed everyone.

The new Parents’ Council co-chair, Teresa, made her remarks.

And I had the strangest out-of-body experience.

It was as if I was dead — or hovering above — watching both of them, doing the jobs I’d held at various times, and knowing that I’d been replaced by other people who were going to carry on the tradition I’d begun.

The party was a rousing success.

Parents and freshmen alike loved meeting each other.

And I wanted to thank Martha and her daughter for opening their hearts & their homes to RISD.