The Butterflies are back...

Tonight was the night of Will's first Piano Recital. He has been taking lessons at school from Mrs. McCullom all year. The genius part of it is that she takes him for lessons DURING the school day... so it's one less shuttle stop for the Mommy Bus and Will gets extra fun and music on Tuesdays during his kindergarten "free time" window. A win-win for sure! Usually Will forgets his lesson book. Let's re-phrase that- Will always forgets his lesson book. But lucky for us Mrs. McCullom has an extra around for Will- who seems to always be asking~
"Where did my shoes go?" [cue: eye roll]
"Has anyone seen my backpack?" [cue: large sigh]
"What did I do with my homework?" [cue: Mom throwing up her hands and groaning aloud]
It's an ongoing joke... not when he'll lose something, but WHAT that next something will be.
Well, tonight one thing Will did NOT lose was his nerve. He was a fantastic performer. For a boy who went from crazy (not an understatement in the least) stage fright to piano virtuoso and Christmas solo performer is nothing short of a miracle in my opinion. We talked in the car on the way to the St. Al's Church basement (O'Malley Hall) between trips to the store for reception cookies- back home for a quick clothes change since Mom forgot Will's clothes, but remembered Dads- to the soccer field to drop off the bag o'balls that Dad forgot in the trunk of the other car- back home for the camera- a quick picnic dinner on the lawn of Gonzaga- ahhhhhhhhhh. The insanity of day to day Merritt life.
And I asked as we're waiting at the light and Will is chanting "turn green turn green turn green" like his oh-so-patient Mother has taught him to. "Will, are you nervous? Do you have those butterflies in your tummy?" He assured me he did. I told him this would be small potatoes compared to the Christmas concert solo- so many less people-- and he said, "Yeah, but now I'll have to be all by myself up there!"

I told him he wouldn't be alone. We said a prayer and he wasn't alone at all. Sweet Mrs. McCullom was sitting right in view and the BEST part of the entire performance was after the first time through "Old Uncle Will" he looked over at her with an expectant smile... "should I?" and she gave a little nod and he thundered through those glorious seconds, thirds and fourths again for a reprise. You know... he got to play them through twice because they're "pretty short" and "I AM the youngest student, you know!"

We know Will! You did it! You were awesome. And so were those 'candy cookies' you picked out to boot!

[cue: Will playing 'Love somebody, yes I do, love somebody, how 'bout you]