The Senior

Huz will be glad to see this is not a blog about the man of Cowfeathers,  who received his AARP card this year, but about Middlest who is a high school "Senior".
I don't know if the world conspires to make us nostalgic and clingy this last year of our daughter's high school education, but it sure seems as if plenty of moments are pushing that sentiment. It began in August with no lack of Facebook posts picturing a teen with the caption "The last First Day of School". And, you would think that as graduation is still months away, we would be spared the gloom in autumn of:
"The Final _____, ever, for your high school Senior."
 But, one of the formative features of the high school identity and education of my Senior has been Marching Band, and that season is about to finish. So, we have this coming week:
"The Final Football Game", which will encompass "The Final Pre-game Show", "The Final Half-Time Show", "The Final Time Conducting the Band in the Stands", and, hopefully , "The Final Victory Playing of the Alma Mater." Which.... could mean none of this is final at all because the football team will then be in the play-offs and go on to play in November until they either lose or win the State Championship. And, the band won't know it's done, until it's done.
We will also have "The Final 'State of Ohio Marching Band Finals'", where our Senior will  "Conduct her Final Show, EVER, for OMEA Judges."
Oh, bother. That will have me nostalgic for my little girl with the glitter covered "sparkly shoes" and a Peter Pan collared dress. But, no help for it, she is moving on. And in that vein, the Marching Band holds "Senior Band Night", in which the Senior members of the marching band walk down center field with their parents while the band plays the old Johnny Mercer tune "Fools Rush In" and the loud speaker announces to the crowd what they plan to do as they leave high school next year. You can learn a lot about your kid if you listen to what they wrote down for the announcer, so I keenly payed attention. I was relieved to hear nothing I hadn't heard before, so, if she is currently planning something other than studying Language and Linguistics at an as yet to be determined University, it will be a surprise. She also claimed both Huz and Me as parents, announced over the loudspeaker, so thumbs up there; Go Parents.

 Escorting Middlest around the corner, I look at my beloved daughter. 

Huz is flying and playing imaginary trumpet. I guess after the Final Final _____ for our last child, I'll still have a kid at Cowfeathers, with an AARP Card.