Page 98 - 2019 UDMB Senior Will

It’s been 4 years and yet I still haven’t learned that maybe it’s not the best idea to leave things until the night before the deadline - oops.
I’ve never considered myself to be the sentimental type. Each year, I’ve flipped through the book of senior wills and thought “Wow, I couldn’t even imagine writing this much about my feelings”. Yet here I am clocking in at almost 1500 words, which still doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of the feelings I have for this activity. For the last 10 years, everything from blistering summer afternoons to crisp fall evenings to numbingly cold nights have been spent on a football field. It’s been my home, and I can’t remember a time before that part of me existed. Even now, over 2 weeks after the season has officially ended, I still haven’t quite felt it yet. That feeling, that wave of emotion, that definitive sense that something is really, truly over. The post-season void is definitely there... I have time to go places? And do things? Unheard of. It’s weird to think that next year I won’t be out on Frazier Field joking around and dying with you all (not necessarily in that order), but I feel like my time in this activity has come to a natural end. If you’ll indulge me, I offer a metaphor. I like to compartmentalize my life – as soon as a season is over, I pack it up in a neat little box, tie it up with a bow, and then put it on a shelf to make room for the next thing that awaits. Every once in a while, I take the box down and dust it off. I pull out a memory and have a laugh, but the box goes back on the shelf, collecting dust yet again. The best advice I can give is to not let a box go too long without being opened. Take it off the shelves when you can and share the memories inside with the people you grew close to. Seek out ways to keep the people who are important to you in your life, even in the tiniest ways. Moving on to new things doesn’t mean you have to ignore the past, and the memories I’ve made here are ones I will cherish forever.
To the whole UDCG: I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to spend my final season with. You are all so kind, thoughtful, talented, determined, (insert other adjectives here), and it made me rediscover why I love this activity so much. I will never run out of love to give for this incredible group <3
To the senior guard: And then there were three... how on earth did we make it this far? We’ve seen this guard go through some wild swings, but I truly hope your last season felt as perfect as mine did. Also, I wonder how our alien babies are doing now. Are they well-adjusted alien adults by now? I hope they’re doing well, I might ask for their advice on the whole well-adjusted part.
To the rookie guard: Getting to know each and every one of you this season has been a blessing. Each of you brought something uniquely wonderful to the group, and this season was truly a breath of fresh air. This rookie class holds a special place in my heart, and one of my greatest joys as a captain was watching you all grow as performers and individuals. A captain is only as good as their squad, and you all made me better than I could have ever imagined. This band is better with you all in it, and I hope you continue to make it better.
To the weapon line: Bless your hearts, you made my job as a captain a million times easier just by being your wonderful selves. Thank you for always taking everything my indecisive ass said in stride and for being all-around awesome. I’ve gotten to watch you all make it through your rookie season and grow as the season(s) went by (and I can decisively say that you’re all MILES better than I was as a freshman). I can’t wait to see what y’all do next"#$%
To Rah: I can’t thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to step into a leadership role for this guard. I am so lucky to have gotten the chance to be a captain for the organization that I love so much, especially this year. Your fondness for this group is evident and I can’t wait to see where the program goes!