Last First Day of School

Riding the bus with your big brother.
Baths and breakfasts. Coats and gloves.
Little hands in big ones.
Girls that thought you were sweet.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
That oh-so-bad day that changed things forever.
Going to school not knowing what would happen.
Your good friend Jacqueline until she moved.
Your good friend Ryan until you moved.
Catapults and GI Joes.
Emily who took care of you when you got home.
Building bird houses for a Type 3 project.
Butterfly gardens.
Pokemon.
Mr. Dishler who changed his name.
Your buddy Joe who stands by you still.
Outdoor Ed.
Speech with Mrs. Allen.
Tech Ed and the remote control car.
Mrs. Williams' homeroom.
Music in the Park.
Riding in the Taurus to school.
Mt. Hebron Student of the Month. Twice.
Always participating. Always.
Toronto. New York City. Walt Disney World.
Calling just to say you got home.
Finally growing in 11th grade.
Jazz Band.
Junior prom with a senior girl.
SATs that still aren't done.
The start of your final year.
Guitar. Forensics. And six books to read.
Unfailingly sunny despite the knocks.
Grades. Good and bad.
But mostly good.

A father who loves you and always will.
K-