My mom came in my room around 5:15AM and said her classic, “It’s time to get up.” Groggy-eyed, I mumbled something resembling recognition to her annoyance and then fell back into a Stage One sleep. Another 15 minutes passed and my internal alarm sprung me out of my bed with the energy of an 800 pound bull. I sighed and stretched, avoiding the inevitable. Eventually, I hulled myself out of bed, sliding off the side and barely catching myself with clumsy feet. I wobbled over to my dresser at the foot of my bed and fumbled through my nick-nacks to find my glasses. Now with the amazing ability to see, something with which I’m not too familiar, I made it to the bathroom a few steps from my bedroom door. I did the usual morning chores: brush the teeth, wash the face, and put the hair in obnoxious pigtails with four ribbons representing my years of dedication in band (white, yellow, blue, rainbow). I walked back to my bedroom and threw on my clothes, now realizing (as I always do) that I’ve somehow ran out of time. Bundled like a snowman attempting to survive in a desert, I tried to run to the “Rat Room” to grab my blue Spartan gym bag and tap my rat’s cage for a friendly goodbye. With my bag, I hurried down the stairs and woke up my mom who was snoozing on the couch. We leave for Stacy’s house for the last flute breakfast I’ll ever have.
I arrived at Stacy’s house at 6:10 after getting lost in the maze of the neighborhood beside hers that was sporting a similar name. It didn’t matter too much — only a few flutes had already arrived. I endulged in a healthy breakfast of mini pancakes, greasy bacon, non-low-fat maple syrup, and some hot chocolate with a few mini marshmellows. We all gathered in the basement to watch Stacy’s favorite Disney movie, “Peter Pan.” Soon Stefani came and plopped down on the floor beside me. Within another 20 minutes, the whole basement was packed like a sardins in a can. Stefanie Rumsey spotted me and said, “Is that Shelbi Hunter I see at a flute breakfast?” Oops! I couldn’t miss the State breakfast. I am happy to know I was missed, at least. After mindless conversation involving black toenails and hot guys, I hopped a ride with Stef Rumsey and left for the morning prayer on the band field.
The morning prayer is a tradition I have always held close to my heart. Ever year, it seems to become a little less formal, but the love is still there. We all hold hands in a circle and pray, and then finish the ceremony by all turning around and breaking out of our connection. I stood next to Francesca that morning. I was cold even in my letter jacket. The sky was still black, but I couldn’t see the stars. On the way back to the band room, it hit me — it was the last State morning prayer ceremony I’ll ever have.
I entered the band room and felt at home. The floors were hidden by everyone’s colorful blankets, pillows, gifts, bags, lunches, instruments, clothes, drill books, etc. The smells were of slight perfumes, sweat, a faint hint of cleaner, uniforms, different smells of houses, and the coziness and love of something I could never quite identify. I sat down my things in my corner on the right and exchanged secret sister gifts. Sarah turned out to be mine and I had Angie. I looked through my bag to find caramel candy, fuzzy socks, and an Old Navy tank top. I was happy. Then, Logy motioned for me to come over to the baritone area of the band room. I grabbed some of my secret sister candy and made my way across the mountains of stuff.
Logy and I came up with a plan to get on the video — cry and hug! It was humorous, but also had a deeper meaning. I was a senior and that was my final band competition. I was going to miss band. I was going to miss hanging out with Logy on band competitions, too. Reality was starting to settle in, but I tried to hide from it by laughing and enjoying the silliness of our friendship.
Soon, it was time for the State morning meeting with Barber and Wadkins. Everyone hushed and took a seat. Brit, Logy, and I sat in the back. We all watched a video from the internet titled “212 Degrees.” I had already seen it that previous Friday afternoon during 6th period. I was in the band room along with the other band students from music theory. The video was inspirational and focused on “turning up the heat” to do your best. After the video, Wadkins talked to us all. He described another video about a football team. One player astonished the rest of his team after the coach repeatedly told him, “I believe in you.” Mr. Wadkins struck a tear in my eye when he told us in his shaky voice that he believes in us. He said this a few times. The tear in my eye could no longer stay put and it trickled down my cheek. My throat tightens just writing about this now. Then, Mr. Barber stood to talk to us. He was so choked up that he couldn’t get a word out for a few minutes. My heart went out to him. When he finally spoke, his voice was broken and his eyes poured their overload of tears. He repeatedly said he was sorry. He didn’t have to. My eyes poured as his did. The whole band was in silence and awe. Gradually, he started to speak. He said how much he will miss the senior group unlike any group before us. He gave us inspiration and hope. Somehow, hearing inspiration from Barber lifts my spirit so high that I think I could accomplish absolutely anything. In all the years, that morning was the saddest State meeting I’ve ever remembered. My tears began my last day of State.
On the way out to the stadium, Brit and I talked to each other about how this was “our last day of State” and how much we will miss it. We didn’t cry. We didn’t slow our steps. It was only conversation. The sky had grown lighter and we could easily see (and hear) the hundreds of dedicated parents lined up to shout us good luck at State. Horns were blaring, car alarms were chirping, bells were ringing, posters were crackling, and voices were shouting — all loud enough to wake up all of Allen county at eight or so in the morning. It was tradition.
The whole band stepped across the painted band notes on the senior walk onto the stadium. Practice had begun. We did basics, though not exercise one. Mike gave us a pep talk and then we were off to page one for a silent run. After that, we took a small break and set up our warm-up arcs next to Shannon. Mike guided us through the rest of practice until lunch time, and was there after lunch, too. At the end of practice, us fluties (Stef, Stefanie, and a few others) all had a hugging orgie.
When practice was over, Brit and I rushed to the girl’s bathroom to pee. I put in my contacts while I was there. I hadn’t worn them in months and being able to see 180 degrees was freaking me out. They were incredibly strong, seems the ground doesn’t normally bubble upward. I then put my flute in the basket and my uniform on the truck; it was the last time I would do that. I waited for Brit to gather her stuff and we set off for the buses at the front of the school, being two of the last ones on as always. I caught a glimpse of Vince the Bus Driver when we pas all six buses to get ours (whose idea was it to join the last bus, again?). I threw down my things, grabbed one of the giant pixy stixs, and dashed for the bus door. My mom waved goodbye and good-luck to me from the window before the bus started off across the baren parking lot. The sign-off this year wasn’t as festive as previous years, but the point of the parents’ coming in the morning was so they could watch all of Class A. Brit and I got our bus door, at least (Brennen and Tally were right behind us). Brennen was so worried I would fall out of the door. He has always been my protective buddy. He said, “Honey, hold onto something you’re making me nervous.” With our going 5 miles per hour, I think I was okay, but it was still sweet of him. Our departure wasn’t as fun as it has been in previous years, but we all enjoyed waving to the janitor, the few families, the camera guy, and the school walls.
The bus ride was awesome as always; even Justin and I got along much better. Justin, Teddy, Rachel, Tally, Brennen, Allysa, Richy, that one chick whom I can’t stand, that-one-dude, and Brit and I always end up laughing at someone else’s expense. Oh well! It is fun. Tally gave me about an hour back rub, which was very painful, but beneficial. I always thought those two lumps at the bottom of my back was just cartilege or something. I guess not. My back feels amazing now. We all sang and laughed and played patty-cake. I love Brennen’s laugh – it’s so cute! Gosh, all the memories just keep flooding back to me. I love the band bus.
To be continued…
white gravel on everything, lone bus, port-a-potty, train in distance, don’t want back on bus, stephanie flute “believe” necklace, putting on uniforms, long logy hug, “you’re odd”, get instrument, back on bus, pray do well, stretch of grass/railroad, old factory, building new ”box” dome, everyone all gathered, brit and I, 7000 hugs (actually 70000): mandi, brit, eric, nathan, paul, alex, ricky, francesca, sarah, jessica, ann, jimmy, amanda, kassie, alexa, mike, brit… “nicest senior”, drumline concentration, pepsi free story, walk down driveway… up path to left… turn some to right… straight toward old factory… turn to right… ready to go into warmup area.. studying surroundings… old factory… LC and flutes, basics, shannon/flute warmup, arcs, worried, go into carpeted lobby, see some guy near elevators smiling, see colorguard girl by water container, “it’s just an 8 to the 5″, into airlock, door sound, nervousness, light, crowd, “there is no finish line” sign, bright light, turf, guy from avon?, get ready, by taco bell sign, homestead band set!, first drum rep, don’t drop flute, “stop”, turn in, arcs, showtime, almost not ready in time, show, amanda and i almost trip each other, “last note I’ll ever play”, finish pose, marking time and step, finished/done/no more/sad/exhilarated, up steps behind nicole, never ending steps walking in time on air, straight, down steps not as long, in tunnel thingy, water, brit, water, amanda/kassie hug, tally, last flute in line/first clairnet, seniority, “i looove you” hehe, mason me brit mandi, watch penn ben davis avon carroll, oh shit avon’s good, not fair, switch sides, awards, few tears/little indifference, jodi barber hug, alumni cheer, tunnel, kimberly hug, brit, walking down indy — never again, brit and i sad/i almost cry, see logy don’t say anything, get on buses, solemn, silent, decide to change, arrive at semi, talk to katie, put instrument away, back to bus, see brandon/polite half-smile, talk to brittany, “always be a freshman to me”, put uniform away (last time), see logy/lori, back to bus for candy, bye to tally, talk to paul, talk to nathan/his mom for a minute, talk to paul more (and that one dude), walk around a while, decide to talk to brit, ”group hug!”, listen to barber/wadkins, rain, fitting to have discussion in rain, “it has officially rained every state”, back to buses, brennen telling people be happy, jodi and shane on bench in front of dome: jodi waving goodbye, talking for a while, off to sleep, not too enthused about welcome home with sirens, can’t find blanket holder (attached to butt), brit leaves early, walk with logy, cold and rainy and dismal, band room, flute, semi (last time), back to band room, “When You Wish Upon A Star” simple single-note tune on piano by Brad, pause for moment and listen: perfect for mood, get stuff, kinda sad/indifferent…, wanted another logy hug — oh well, spot mandi/brandon, see car hidden behind trail of parents, stuff in back, ”no more band”, avon didn’t deserve it, finally home, freshen up, green flute shirt/green bikini underpants, bed, memories, “When You Wish Upon A Star”, sleep.
When you wish upon a star,
makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
will come to you.
If your heart is in your dreams,
no request is too extreme…
When you wish upon a star
as dreamers do.
Fate is kind.
She brings to those who love
the sweet fulfillment of
their secret longing….
Like a bolt out of the blue,
Fate steps in and sees you through.
When you wish upon a star,
your dreams come true! ………………
I’m going to miss band. I tried to memorize every part of the day to remember it forever. I got so many hugs! lol. Well, we still have the trip and such… so the band group isn’t split up yet. 3rd place is still good. I’m not complaining.