A couple weeks ago, my dad came down to visit the kids and we timed it so he would have an opportunity to attend GirlChild's ballet recital. I didn't grow up with my dad or even in the same state as him. So he never had a chance to go to participate in any rites of passage like this. I would tell him about my performances or my awards and he would always be so interested and proud. But a little sad. He'd tell me how much he wished he could see it.
I started singing when I was very young. My parents never made a big deal about it. It was just what I did. It was not uncommon to find me lying on the floor with my feet on the wall listening to music. I made up songs and sang into the mirror and I guess they just always knew that about me.
So by the time I really started studying music and started getting recognized, around age 9 or so, it never seemed like a big deal in my house. I sang the national anthem for school events, for homecoming, and national events. I sang it at my graduation. I won awards and accolades and my dad never saw any of it. I would tell him stories about performances and he would be in awe.
So for him to attend his grandaughter's recital was a very big deal for him. Watching him was as meaningful to me as watching her. And afterwards, he told her she was the best one up there. And he meant it.
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