1 Mother 2 Another

When it comes to critiquing my singing and
dancing, Cora and Maddie pull no punches. Since they’ve been
able to speak, both have implored me many times: “Mommy
– just don’t sing. Just don’t.”


This would be not a big deal but for the fact that I actually used
to make a living singing and dancing. I try not to take it
personally, but it’s hard not to.


As the years have gone on, though, the girls have gotten better
about allowing my participation – or perhaps, it’s I
who have gotten better and am finally up to their quality level.
Either way, the entreating to stop has significantly dwindled.


Dwindled – not disappeared completely.

This past Sunday, we sang one of the
girls’ favorite worship songs in church. I was singing with
the worship band for the service, so I had the harmony stuck in my
head and when the girls began singing it in the car later, I
heartily joined in with the alto line.


Maddie abruptly stopped. “Mommy, why do you do that? Why do
you always sing harmony and not the main part of the song?”


Taken aback, I said, “Well, it’s the part I’m
often asked to sing, and I think it sounds pretty with the melody.
It makes the melody sound better, don’t you think?”


“No,” Maddie said definitively. “It does not.
When you sing that other part you make me feel like I don’t
know my part. And I know I know my part! I do not like feeling that
way. Please stop doing it.”


I have been schooled.