M's End of The School Year Program

When I taught the fifth grade, I absolutely loathed the Christmas program that the music teacher put together for the parents every year. The kids worked hard for a month or so to memorize a song, dance, etc. to show their parents in an auditorium of a nearby school that we rented out for the night. At the time, I was fairly resentful of having to spend an evening of my time watching other people's kids perform something that I could have cared less about. (I just re-read what I wrote and realize that these statements are enough of a reason that parents should pray I never return to the classroom.)

Well, tonight Papa Bear and I dressed the kids and raced out the door to attend M's very first end-of-the-year program. We sat through ten to fifteen minutes of other people's children singing and dancing (and quite a few picking of noses) and waited patiently for M to take the stage. We brought a video camera and two cameras (one of which has video capabilities as well) and went to town capturing our oldest son and his classmates on all three devices...over kill? maybe, but so worth it.

We sat in eager anticipation wondering if M would be one of the criers, the nose-pickers or the one who stood there staring out at the audience in a kind of deer-caught-in-headlights stance. As we waited, some more patiently than others...B was not thrilled with his forced confinement...the excitement grew. Okay, I'm just being melodramatic for effect, but it was pretty exciting.

Then, the preschool owner got on stage to announce Ms. Wendy's class and the curtains opened to M and his little classmates standing there in their various Peter Pan themed attire. (M was a Lost Boy in raggedy white t-shirt and ripped jeans.) The song "Following The Leader" started to play over the loud speakers and the kids started walking around a tipee in the middle of the stage...and walking, and walking, and walking. They all followed the leader...I honestly have no idea who that leader was, but they all did a great job of walking. Then it was over.

The audience, comprised of family members and those forced to accompany family members, applauded and M's performance was over just like that. And I couldn't have been more proud. M was not the nose picker (thank god for small miracles.) M was not the crier. M was not the deer-caught-in-headlights. He followed the leader and did a great job.

This time I was not the irritated teacher who had to give up a night to watch a herd of kids perform badly. I was the proud mother watching her son perform perfectly.

(If I ever figure out how to post video on this blog, you too will get the privilege of watching M in his breakout role.)