091: Encore presentation

Our city is celebrating its 400th year. Aidan and all of the 2nd grade have been planning and practicing for several weeks for a big presentation on the history of our city. They made a quilt which will be displayed in the history museum--each 2nd grader has a square on the quilt. There was a musical number with everyone playing recorders. It had everything from the Native Americans to the first colonists to president Obama. Aidan had the part of Abraham Lincoln's treasury secretary.

The show was Monday night. The part with Abraham Lincoln came and went, but there was no Aidan. I started to worry. Where's Aidan? The end of the show came with everyone on stage and Aidan finally appears. I could tell by the look on his face that something was terribly wrong. After the show he ran up to me and was visibly upset. Not quite in tears, but very upset. He quietly told me that he had to use the restroom and missed his part. I was in tears by the time we got home. As Aidan was getting ready for bed I went up to his room, hugged him, and told him that it was alright to cry. He held on to me and cried. Big, wrenching sobs. It's been a long time since I've seen my oldest cry. It was heart-breaking.

Come Wednesday, I get word from another parent that the kids will be doing the show again, during school. It was like the heavens opened and angels were singing! Then his teacher called me last night and invited me to the show. I was the only parent there today. I got to see Abraham Lincoln and his treasury secretary ride through our town after it had been burned to the ground. My boy. Whew. He made it. Then, right before the musical presentation I see my boy slip out. Going to the restroom? Everyone goes up on stage. Aidan's not back yet. Then, right before they start, Aidan runs back in, up onto the stage, and gets to play his recorder. I can't believe he almost did it again!

I'm grateful for second chances.