I got back from the Outer Banks late Wednesday night, just 12 hours before my older son was to start his last year of high school. Yes, we pushed the envelope and extended beach time as long as we could here since next summer he is off to college, and thus the last weeks of August will most likely entail moving him into a dorm instead of relaxing on the beach. Yesterday I took the last “first day of school” photo of him next to the lamppost where we have marked this occasion over the years. Then he jumped into his car and took off for school since for seniors the bus is very passé. I stood there remembering taking him to pre-school buckled into a car seat in the back of the car, which seems like yesterday. I confess to succumbing to a puddle of emotion as he drove away. A number of my friends have children starting college this year, and I am living their experiences vicariously. I am not sure if firsts or lasts are harder.