The Last Day

I can’t believe it. My daughter, my baby, just finished her last day of high school. How on Earth is that possible? In keeping with our annual tradition of failing to take normal pictures at the start and end of each school year, my husband scrawled this semi-readable “Last Day of Senior Year” on the back of a concert ticket printout, since he didn’t want to walk downstairs to grab a clean sheet of paper from the printer. “Nobody will see through the paper,” he said.

You can totally see through the paper.

But that’s okay. My daughter was fine with the sign. She doesn’t know any different at this point. She was giddy with excitement to finish out the year. Since she attended her admitted students day at her future college, she has had one foot enthusiastically out the door. The senioritis has been real. I know she will have moments of fear and anxiety, but I hope she keeps this level of cheer for the summer. And doesn’t decide to soil the nest.

What’s “Soiling the Nest,” you ask? Ah, it’s that special time when your kids experience massive mood swings in the summer before college, are nervous about leaving, the stress takes a toll, and they become little demons. If everyone is agitated, it makes it easier to say goodbye! Good riddance! At least, that’s the only explanation I can come up with. I’m hoping my daughter bypasses that adventure and stays on the chill side. We will see.

Meanwhile, I love seeing the kids on the last day all wearing their college shirts. I have known so many of them through the years, some since preschool, and it’s exhilarating to see them this thrilled about their next home. I can’t wait to watch them all soar!