Where Did They Come From?

One of the most amazing parts of parenting is seeing these little things grow up in to their very own person. To see the ways in which they take after me (they walk around with a book stuck in their face 95% of the time) and JD (they are both really easygoing).

But every so often you see them do something that seems to come out of nowhere. And you think

“What?”

This weekend I had a moment like that with both of my girls. Katie had a piano festival. She has been working on two pieces to play at this event for months. There were times that I thought we’d both go crazy if she played them one more time.

This festival involved the kids playing their pieces in front of two judges, the rest of the participants and their parents. There were probably about 25 people all together. The judges were very stern faced. The kids were given the signal to start by a very curt nod from the second of the two judges. Smiles were no were to be found. Some of the kids were a wreck. One little girl who is a couple of years older than Katie got so frazzled that she actually curled up into an upright fetal position right there on the piano bench. It was agonizing to watch.

I was like that girl. I remember when I was about Katie’s age I sang “Open My Eyes That I May See” to my little country church congregation. I got so nervous that after it was over I had to actually lay down on the pew to keep from throwing up.

Katie walked right up there and played her pieces well. Even a couple of minor mistakes didn’t throw her off her game. I was so proud of her and at the same time wondered where in the world she has acquired this confidence.

Elena had a horseback riding lesson today. You don’t know fear until you’ve seen your 7 year old atop a full grown horse who looks like he might take off running at any moment. While her horse is generally very good natured, he was not in a very good mood today and didn’t want to obey any of her commands, but she stuck with it. And she showed him who was boss.

I last rode a horse about 15 years ago and he showed me who was boss. Guess what? It wasn’t me.

Believe me, we have lots of things to work on with them. But to see their confidence in their abilities increase with each little challenge is one of the very best things about being a parent.