"A" is for America
Thursday night Gracie was in a first grade program at school. She had been so excited about performing because this would be her debute as an actress/singer! I mean this is the beginning of her career! She wants to act and sing and dance on stage and entertain America when she grows up.
How perfect was it that her first performance would be in a production of "Sing Across America"!
She steps up to the microphone, smiles at the crowd of adoring fans gathered in the school auditorium.
"My name is Gracie. Do you know how to spell America? "A" is for America!" She steps back and other letters come forward with their name but there was no letter in America that was belted out into the mic like that first letter "A"!
She sang loud and kept a smile pasted on her little face exactly like a broadway star of her calibur should, except when she got lost in one song and forgot the words and picked it up in the next refrain. Afterwards I assured her that we heard HER above all of those other voices on stage.
I sat among the throngs of rude adults who were talking loudly and not giving the children or the teacher who had worked so hard any respect. I came to see my child perform! Shut the hell up, I wanted to scream. However my child understands speaking from the diaphram and projecting her voice so I heard her very well over the crowd of RUDE, DISRESPECTFUL people filling the small school auditorium.
As I sat and watched my child I did what every self respecting parent would do. I smiled, I laughed, I took photos and I wiped a few tears from the corner of my eyes. My dear child, so sweet and innocent, just jerks at my heart strings. I cry every time. Happy tears born of pride and awe that MY child worked so hard to learn 12 songs. She understood that her performance was a grand "Thank You" to all those who gave of themselves for this great nation we call home. She understood that heroes come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. She also understood that men and women give their life to protect our freedom.
She is an American. And she knows with that wealth there comes a great responsibility.
"My name is Angie. "A" is for America!"
She looks so cute in her red hair ribbons! I'm sorry that no one in charge reminded the audience about good listening manners. That's horrible. Believe me, if it had been at my school one of us would have been up at the microphone doing it.
Whenever there is a performance or awards assembly at my school, I love watching the parents' faces. Even if I don't know which child belongs to which parent, I can figure it out when there is a solo or something. The parent's face softens, and her (or his) whole body becomes absolutely still, leaning forward slightly, eyes shining, so proud and so loving. Honestly, it moves me to tears sometimes. I just wish every child could have someone like that in their life, always and forever.
She did so good you should let her drive Red to school now and then. (Thanks for the pix.)
She is adorable and looks like she would just sing her little heart out! shame on the "grown-ups" asses- also thanks for visiting my site- I have enjoyed yours for sometime now,your site is wonderful. What are ppl's and how do I change them? I'm new at this blogging. Thanks for the tip.
Bravo Gracie!! She looks adorable and I know she did you proud. The parents who had no sense (obviously it is not common or they would have had some) to shut up during a performance disgust me. The teachers and children worked hard. I wish I lived closer to hand out notes to them "You are being a loud mouth jerk! Please, refrain from talking as I am not interested in anything being said by you during this performance. If this offends you I suggest you eat shit. Thank you"
Aw, what a cutie!
Way to go Gracie!
Wow, kudos to you for staying so well-behaved among the curs in the the crowd. I once asked a yakker if he would mind shutting the fuck up at a movie. (Hey, it was "Titanic" and at a good part! Y'all would have too!! )
Your daughter is squeezably adorable.
What a perfect outfit to wear in the new car.
Congratulations! What a beautiful girl.
As for audience idiots, we once had to endure a pair of them at the movie Amadeus. Remember that one? We're going back a bit. They talked all the way through. At one point they were talking in the movie about a lost musical score. One idiot says to the other, "What's the 'score'?" My husband leaned forward and said, "Six to nothing. Now SHUT UP!"
I've never been prouder...
Good for Gracie! Good for you, Mom, for being her one and only! True love comes from true parents, you deserve all the joy that she reaps from recieving from you! Those poor rude parents have no idea what is important. I feel sorry for them and their kids. Blessings
When Gracie is a big girl she is going to love what you wrote about her and she will love that picture of her in that red dress, red shoes and red ribbons.
She is a star!
And her mother is not bad either. I loved that, "A is for Angie."