Final answer:
Lyddie's last day was difficult because it failed to match her expectations, leaving her with unfulfilled desires and a sense of sadness, similar to the emotions faced by characters in various literary excerpts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lyddie's last day was a hard day for her because it did not meet the expectations she had built for herself. The passages presented show different characters facing situations where their expectations are thwarted by reality, leading to moments of realization and sadness. These characters hoped for certain outcomes or had specific plans that either didn't come to pass or resulted in feelings of emptiness and unfulfilled desires. Lyddie likely had a vision of how her final day would unfold, perhaps involving a sense of closure or achievement, but the actual events contrasted with her aspirations, thus making it a difficult day for her.