Now that the tour has begun and I have heard a few of the stories that Clay has picked, it's reminded me of stories I could have submitted. One in particular I thought I would share here. I figured this one didn't exactly follow the rules, as I daresay if you look at the dates, even though I don't mention Clay by name, it was his concert I missed in order to be with my son.

Enjoy (or not!)

Last August marked a milestone for our family. My son was ready to start his next level of formal education....yes, he was making the transition to middle school. Granted, in our town, middle school is grades 3 through 6, but it is still a MAJOR move for the kids! Our middle school is a new facility with staff members that are unfamiliar to those young minds entering the doors for the first time. It's a big year for them, a life changing time for some. By the time they graduate, you wouldn't recognize the young ladies and gentlemen most of them have become.

For Jonathan, it was an even bigger step. Having diabetes, he had to start a whole new protocol with a new nurse and new rules. I always knew he was a responsible kid, but in the weeks and months to come, I saw it even more. He started wearing a fanny pack everyday that had blood sugar testing supplies, glucose tablets in case of emergency, and in extreme emergencies, he even has a cell phone tucked in the front pocket, just in case.

In October, the 3rd graders, the responsible 3rd graders, are recommended by their teachers to Mr. Wright, the music teacher, to join the recorder club. At first Jonathan wasn't interested, that is, until his girlfriends had joined up. Yes, at that time, Jonathan had 2 girlfriends. It didn't last of course, but it sure was cute while it did. He was so intent on playing in the club that he used his own $5.00 to purchase the standard recorder everyone has to use. I couldn't have been more proud of him.

So the fall went on, Jonathan practicing when he felt like it, my daughter was envious, knowing it would be 2 years before she too could play in the club. Fall turned to Thanksgiving and thoughts of family that would not be with us to join in the feast. Then black Friday (my superbowl of shopping, thank you very much) and then BOOM we were into the holiday season!

I had planned a 3 day trip away from my family to celebrate the season with shopping, some nice holiday music, and basically getting a good break from being a Mom, even if just for a few days. Then the notice came home. Without any warning, it was a note announcing a Holiday concert on December 12th at 7pm. Of course, that was right in the middle of my planned time away. What is a Mom to do? Of course I had to cancel my plans. Jonathan would have been crushed if I hadn't attended his first concert as a recorder virtuoso.

So the night of the concert came and I couldn't help but feel a tad bit bitter about the whole thing. I so wanted to be at the other concert instead of listening to recorders and 4th graders sing out of tune. That was, until I watched my son. I barely took my eyes off him the whole evening. I watched him talk to some of his friends while he waited to go on stage, then watched him gaze off into the distance, seemingly unaware of everything around him. It was at that moment I remembered just what the holidays are about. It isn't the gifts you receive or even the ones you give. It's the gifts you don't expect that leave a lasting impression on your soul. That night was about family and about being a proud parent. It's a gift I often take for granted, not realizing just how precious it is. Just one look at my son that night reminded me why I was there and deep down inside, there was no place I would have rather been!