My kids. I am so proud. This weekend my son performed with his class at the township festival. He was up early; dressed in his outfit, brushed and polished. He ate, cleaned his room and proceeded to pace "the racetrack" in our home. We all have it; the need to saunter around the dining room table and walk off our issues. There's a little path in the carpet. I try to vacuum it away, but I fail. We were heading for the car, calling after him. I figured he was taking a last minute pit stop; nerves. Nope. He put on cologne. His face was bright and he puffed his shirt. "For special occasions Mommy." I smiled and confess I breathed a little deeper. My son was wearing cologne. My lungs stung a little bit. In a good way.
He performed at noon. He met his teacher while we waited in the bleachers. When it was their turn, he marched out there and sang his head off. He danced and even helped one of the kids who forgot their line. After every solo, he gave that child the thumbs up and said good job. There was a point when he had to come down off the platform to sing a mini-duet and dance. If it were me, I'd have fallen, forgotten the words AND moves turning beet red. He did it with all the gusto my Boo could muster...and with that smile. He waved to me. I know how nervous he was but he sucked it up and pulled through fabulously! Great job lil man. You smelled, looked, sang, danced and were nothing short of great. I love you and am proud. It's why you got the big sundae. You earned it.
Today was Maddie's graduation into Jr. High. Wow. We attended the honors ceremony. Maddie was recognized for honor roll in all semesters and a national math competition she entered with several classmates. She had a solo in their performance playing the recorder; a small piccolo type instrument that I have listened to incessantly for the last dozen weeks or so. If I ever have to hear it again I will dig in my ears with an ice pick...until it's Ben's turn and then I will hum every note and sing all the words gladly...just as I have to this point. But secretly I'm hoping by then they will have added the triangle. GO BOO~ding ding.
We went early because I was determined not to get stuck in the back this time. You'd have thought we were in line for a general seating concert for The Who. All the shoving, elbowing and cutting were enough to make me feel like I was on the ice at a Penguins' game. Then you get the seat savers. You know the folks who lay across ten or twelve seats and then empty their pockets and purses placing anything from dryer lint and buttons to cell phones and hub caps to reserve seats for people who don't show?! Not that it bothers me (much).
And I was rewarded. Now granted, I left my husband in the dust and refused to move for ANYONE who gave me that look or sighed as if to say...Gee if only I had a seat up there...
TOO BAD SISTAH! BOOOOYAH! VICTORY IS MINE! Head for the nosebleeds Baby!
When the solo came, Maddie stepped out and upon seeing me (of course I was standing up and waving so she would) winked. I swore I wouldn't cry but I did. I told myself it wasn't a REAL graduation but in some ways it was. After all the practice, repetition and grating of my nerves, she was flawless. She played loud enough to be heard and reached even the difficult notes. When she finished I clapped, wiped those silly tears away and beamed. She was beautiful.
Just bragging for a moment. Thanks for sharing with me.
Have a good day.
