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| Miss M at her recital |
To say she was nervous might be just a big of a understatement. The girl was terrified. So she let out some tears, we talked, we hugged. I even told her she didn't have to go if she didn't want to but warned her she might regret it if she didn't try it. After all of that, she decided to go.
And she did it! She did a great job. I was quite the proud mama! I know it took a lot of courage for her to get up in that room and sing - in front of people she both knew and didn't know.
My brave girl is even talking about what she will sing in the next recital. I'm so glad she did it and she survived and wants to do it again.
I know exactly how she was feeling because about a year ago, I took the stage for the Chicago Listen To Your Mother show. Before the show, I was COMPLETELY terrified. But I took to the stage and I did it. It made me feel empowered and it made me proud of myself.
I hope my daughter felt the same way after her recital. I mean she told me she was happy and glad she did it. She said she was proud of herself. But I hope she felt empowered and really proud, like deep down proud. Because getting up in front of people and sharing a part of yourself - a song, a story, a piece of artwork - it takes courage.
This past weekend, the husband and I headed into Chicago again for the 2013 Listen To Your Mother Show. It's quite a difference experience to be sitting in the audience as the women in the show take the stage and open up their hearts to share their story with us. I sat there and listened to them sharing - sometimes laughing, sometimes nodding along because I got it, sometimes with a tear or two that needed to be wiped - and thought about how much courage they had to get up and share.
I'm glad so many people are courageous in this world and share a part of themselves. I know it's not always easy and can be hard, but it is such an amazing gift to give others. And I'm even more proud my daughter is one of those courageous people!
What a girl you've got there! One more reason to feel proud of her, right? Congrats to the whole family!
ReplyDeleteI have had similar experiences with my kids, where they were very afraid to do something, yet very glad afterward that they had done it, and looking forward to doing it again or doing something more.
ReplyDeleteI think you showed great wisdom in telling Miss M that the choice whether or not to participate was hers. Sometimes when you know you have an escape, that takes enough of the pressure off that you can stand to take the risk. Otherwise, you just feel trapped. Smart mama. Brave girl. All good.