Finding The TRUE: They are GROWING UP! Part One.

Here in the Cowichan Valley, arts, music and culture are highly celebrated & coveted.

My kids have been involved in art/music related activities since they were young. The boy started at age 11 with guitar and he fell in love. He has developed an acute ear for hearing notes and now he has taken up voice lessons. Music is definitely a passion for him.

The girl started at age two with group classes which taught movement and sound. Two years later she began piano and this year she's taking voice and piano. She has a natural talent for singing and we believe having her in music lessons helped her leap from an emergent reader to a strong, incessant reader, in no time.

While I was on vacation, the girl was scheduled to sing at the Cowichan Valley Music Festival. In her age category, she was to sing three songs in a non-competitve adjudicated medium. When we explained it to her, she flat out refused. Nope. Wouldn't do it, couldn't make her.

We were shocked. She's a shy kid, but she ADORES being in the spotlight. Loves getting on stage and performing. She's been in three ballet recitals and two music recitals, so we could NOT figure this one out.

Perhaps the idea of it being a festival scared her? Did she think hundreds of people would be there watching her? Perhaps it was the notion of the adjudicator being there. She's never been adjudicated before, perhaps this scared her? Don't know. Still don't know. Regardless, she didn't want to do it.

Eventually, with the help of her vocal instructor, we got her to come around and in January she started practicing her cute little songs. And then whamo! One week before the festival she backed out again.

Well, I know it isn't any good to force someone to do something they don't want to do, so I agreed that she did not have to go. Her instructor was as disappointed as I was, but she also agreed that forcing it would be no good. We did commit, however to attend the performance dates and observe what happens. Maybe if she sees what goes on, she'll want to go next year?

So attend we did and sat through the performances of amazing and talented children. Man! These kids can sing! And courageous? You better believe it!

And wouldn't you know it? My girl sat and watched not five minutes before she decided she too would get up and sing her song! And sing she did! She nailed her song, got all the notes, hit all the stops & starts, sang her little heart out.

If you're a parent, a mentor, or a friend of someone who breaks through a challenge and comes out on top like that, you'll understand the rush of joy, pride and adoration I felt there in that church as my girl got up in front of her peers (and the adjudicator) and busted through her fears.

My brave, brave girl. I am so proud of your strong spirit. I am so honored to be able to experience life with you.

And, you know? When she came back to her seat and I asked her how she felt doing it, she said: "I loved it so much and I always want to be in music".

Oh mercy child, you wreck my poor heart.

You are growing up into a fantastic and brave person. Keep striving for light. DON'T. EVER. STOP.

To be continued...