1 Mother 2 Another

Yesterday was Maddie’s turn at the
talent show, and she seemed much more relaxed and ready for it than
Cora had been the previous day; after all, Maddie is a two-year
veteran by now, and was performing with her friend that she’s
done the talent show with since kindergarten.


So I was not expecting it when I received a call from a friend of
mine within the school, hissing, “I’m not sure
what’s going to happen here! The girls are fighting. I repeat
the girls are fighting.”


I still don’t know what went down, but I understand Maddie
sat rigid with fury while her gal-pal and partner-in-talent dripped
miserably over the lunch table. For quite a while. When it was
pointed out that perhaps their feud was due at least partly to
nerves, the messenger was promptly shot, uniting the two girls at
least momentarily.

Which means that when 2:05 rolled around,
I wasn’t sure who would be singing what or if at all. So you
can imagine my relief when the girls walked into the gym smiling
and seemingly carefree.


I sat in the stands waiting for their turn – at the very end
– trying hard to remember the steps to take if you have a
heart attack. I’ve sung in front of thousands of people, for
actual heads of state, and I can tell you right now that I was much
less nervous then than I was yesterday waiting for my daughter to
sing.


The whole thing went off without a hitch, and the girls were given
admiring compliments and heartfelt praise from classmates
afterwards as they basked in the adrenaline rush and gazed at each
other fondly.


So we survived the talent show. Barely. Not sure I’m up to
one next year.


Oh, and did I mention that our side garden is now down to only two
caterpillars? The entire family takes turns bringing out fresh
store-bought cut dill for them, replacing what’s wilted
during the day.


Seriously, caterpillars. I really need you to live. Really.