As I sat in the bleachers last Friday night, I was actually relieved that it was cold and damp--it made the end of marching season a bit easier to tolerate. It's easy to gloss over those parts--the cold, rain, hauling heavy equipment, doing hair and make-up for 9 colorguard, breakfasts before the sun rises--but they are the hard reality for us band parents during marching season. I am not going to miss that part very much.
It was a great run and an especially fun year to end on. And end it did with a final performance at the University of Illinois on Saturday. Bear with me as I record the day for posterity.
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| Our last colorguard breakfast. And yes, we are smiling even though it was very early. |
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| It's not an easy feat to move 100 + band kids, plus parents, friends, family...and all that equipment. |
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| I think I'm still scrubbing hair spray off my hands. |
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| These 3 have mastered "supervising." |
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| Band parents are the best. They just are. |
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| No, I didn't cry. Although I thought I would. |
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| Colorguard 2012. |
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| 26 Seniors graduating this year. Wow. |
Every so often, if the wind is blowing just right towards our house, we can hear the marching band rehearsing on the field at the school. The air is usually crisp, the smell of wet leaves permeates the nose--and the music subtle on the breeze. You would miss it if you weren't tuned into marching season and what it holds. Most people probably don't even hear it, for they don't know the magic that lies on that field.
I hope I will always hear the band, for these years have been some of the very best.
16 comments:
I loved my time on the drill team but it was far less theatrical back in the dark ages
You had a great run! Onward!
Fortunately, "Somebody Got Time For That." I must have listened to that song yesterday at least a dozen times. It's starting to play in my brain again as I sit here with my first cup of java in my hand. I can picture the color guard and band doing a fancy number to that one as the crowd goes wild and the proud parents beam their approval.
Its people like you, that give their time, that make a difference.
Great job on the make-up and hair, Lin! Your daughter looks fantastic :)
What's next indeed...from now until next September there will be a lot of "last times" - and that may well be soon enough to think about "What's next...?"
You didn't cry? Heck, I am practically tearing up for you!!
Looks like it was a great end to the season and I'm glad you made it through it alright. Em looked fabulous!
I think our last competition was also at a college. University of Penn I believe. There were only two of us in the colorguard who were graduating.
I was appalled to hear of my niece's band director having the band go home after the first round was over in a competition last Saturday just on account of the possibility of storms moving into the area. For I remember marching in the '73 Cassville Christmas Parade when an early season blizzard blew in and after it cleared to where we could see where we were, we had marched to somewhere in between Butterfield and Purdy (around 7 miles to the north of Cassville) and our band celebrated band director made us march all of the way back while staying in formation and in tune, of course!
I know you'll miss it but oh the memories you'll have to look back on.
Patty--Heck, it has gotten more theatrical in the 7 years my kids have participated. It's crazy some of the shows now!
Vanilla--Yep. Gotta keep on movin'!
Chuck--It's catchy, isn't it?! I actually like that one.
Hot Rocks--Well, we have fun and the work gets done at the same time. It was a win-win for us all. :)
Duni--Well, I couldn't ruin the hair--we were just teasing the heck out of it to make it "large." I think I succeeded on that front.
Grace--Yeah, I've got a whole school year of "lasts"--some welcome, some not.
Diana--No. Just as I thought about it, I remembered it wasn't about me, but Emma instead. Then I just enjoyed the moment.
Beaded Tail--I think it will be hard next fall when we don't have it anymore, nor will we fit in. That's when it will hit me hard.
MRS. Silver!!!--First, congratulations on your newly married status!! :) We have a small colorguard this year, so it was good that we were only losing Emma. There are some years where we have 17 or so. It's nice to have larger numbers. Do you miss colorguard sometimes?
Jerry--OMG, you MARCHED there AND back??! That's crazy. We haul too much equipment nowadays. But yes, we are hardy and perform in all sorts of weather. We are band, of course!
Ann--Yeah, I will definitely hold these days close to my heart. It's been fun for all of us.
You know, because I know, that every time you hear a marching band from this day forward you will tear up as the great memories of the past flood forward.
Our babies are growing up!
Jodi--I dread next fall, working in the yard and hearing the band....and knowing we are no longer a part of it. I can't begin to imagine. :(
well let my be the first to welcome you Lin to the band hoes .it's not to bad each year it becomes easiler because the band starts to turn over and you know more former members than current ones . when we need a fix we stop out at a football game or competition or put when of the old CDs from Emilys years . this spring it's the hardest when they talk about next year and your not coming back
Paul--Thanks, Paul. It helps to know that it does get easier. I know how I feel when you and Mary come back--we are sooo glad to see you. I hope that there are some who are happy to see Joe and I return for a visit. We are gonna have to start amping up the HO fun now!
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