Senior Night

Last night was Senior Night at the Grafton Football game.  The senior football players and cheerleaders were honored before the start of the game. The band members were honored during half time.  Randy and I had to line up with Ryan towards the end of the 1st quarter. It takes almost an entire quarter to organize all those parents! My mom joined us to snap a few pictures before we headed out onto the field.

Last night it was drizzling and cold. The bleachers weren't full. It was dreary.  I thought it would be a sad night. I thought I might shed a few tears. The atmosphere certainly matched my anticipated mood. I wasn't sad though. As Randy and Ryan and I stood waiting to walk onto the field, we talked about how much he has enjoyed the last four years and how it was an act of serendipity that caused him to sign up for band in the first place. Ryan signed up for Art in 6th grade...then he found out that meant he also would need to take Public Speaking. Guess what? He refused. Yes, that's right. My young easy going, good natured boy said NO to Public Speaking. And so we were left with Band. I thought he would last one year. I'm so glad he pushed the issue and I'm so glad that we backed down.  It's been fun these last four years, for both Ryan and us.

Then it was time. We walked out onto the football field and stood on the 50 yard line. They called out Ryan's name and he gave me a flower and a hug and hugged his father and then went bounding out onto he field for the half-time performance. Last night wasn't sad, it was a happy memory, a culmination of sorts, a graduation.