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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, June 20, 2013 | 8 I When a graduate is too tired and has no time for tears a long shot. Last Friday, she attended her nal day of high school classes. Today, she writes her nal exam. And next week, it all becomes of cial as she dons the traditional grad garb and leaves behind the signi cant chapter in life known as "the high school years." Did I mention that the past month has been a blur? Or that our daughter is simply too tired and has no time for tears? Still, I have the feeling at some re ective, sentimental moment over the summer -- as she preps to y the coop for university and leave her poor parents behind, twitching and trembling in the empty nest -- it will am sure that at some point she'll get misty, but currently she's too tired and has no time for tears. To understate, the last month has been a blur. There was a four-day road trip with the school band to Cleveland to play a few gigs, catch a symphony, and tour the town (hello, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). Then there was all the pomp and pageantry of prom -- or, as we came to call it, proma (because drama is an apparently intrinsic, essential ingredient of prom). Then there was last week's Jazz Band concert at her school that trumpeted the approaching end of an era. But wait, that's not all, not by That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor dawn on her that at once she has reached the end of one road and the beginning of another. Then there will be tears. Seventeen years ago, dear readers, I introduced you to our baby, who was by all accounts both a bundle of joy and a force of nature. We christened her Haley. But around our house she was known as Hurricane Haley. Where the ensuing 17 years went, I'll never know. I blinked, she grew. I blinked again, she grew some more. And then I blinked again and she was at the dinner table asking for advice on where she should attend university. University? A few blinks ago she was a toddler, reaching up for hugs and endearingly calling me "daddy-boy." Of course with all these milestones being reached, with the future suddenly upon us, I thought about sagely advice I should pass on to her. Beyond the obvious (don't spit into the wind, don't cry over spilled milk, if you must sing karaoke, don't ever attempt Stairway to Heaven), I was drawing blanks. Then my wife and I attended the aforementioned school Jazz Band concert and found ourselves being blown away. I knew these kids were good. But I had no idea how good. And while the talent level was remarkable, the cohesiveness of the young players was out of this world. And the musicians were taking their cue from band conductor Nick Alfano, a longtime music teacher and a beloved institution at our daughter's school. Between songs, Nick talked: music, anecdotes, cartoons, sitcoms, life. And at some point in one of his stories, sage advice for our daughter came to mind: Regardless of what you do in life, be like Nick. That is, be compassionate, kind, caring. Be real, honest, dedicated and involved (all-in at all-times). And, most of all, be passionate. Because the world needs more passionate people in all walks of life. And because it was obvious from the rst note of our daughter's last concert that the kind of pure passion someone like Nick brings to work each and every day is contagious. And inspiring. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesportjesters. It's what drives us. 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