At attention

I am learning much this month about being attentive and ready to jump in with my time when needed. Emma's involvement with her ballet studio's production of The Nutcracker certainly underscored the value of time -- particularly with the requirement that parents (that's me!) spend 10-20 hours behind the scenes to make the show happen. Yet this was time I could manipulate. I knew I had a commitment to chaperone a group during Tuesday's rehearsal and performances Thursday, Saturday morning and Saturday evening. Wednesday's rehearsal was the lone day to take pictures. I attended Friday. That meant I was gone after 10 for five nights straight. Although I had dinner to serve those five nights before I left, I needed the rest of the family to step up with clean-up, homework and bedtimes. They did. I shuffled piano lessons, somehow getting nine students in during the week. I had to delegate some of my church responsibilities, but I planned ahead and things worked great. (I'm not counting any laundry success, however.)

I actually enjoyed myself! This was surprising, because our last Nutcracker go-round three years ago did me in. I did not like it. At that time a couple of bragging mothers put my daughter down. They made sure I knew their daughters were in higher dance class levels, never mind that all our girls made the same audition. The 2011 week physically depleted Emma. I wasn't keen on doing it again, especially with her higher academic stakes as a 16-year-old. 

Another shadow was that Elise also tried out but didn't make it, a repeat scenario from 2011. (They didn't try out in 2012, and neither made it last year.) Elise's heartbreak this time was intense. Emma was cast in the same dance as three years ago, so neither of my girls feel like they have made much progress in the studio. 

I took my cue from Emma, however, whose positive attitude about the production made me set aside my own misgivings. I would not be bothered by the rare snooty mom! I would find the good! It's amazing how this decision for the current Nutcracker forcefully brought back uplifting memories from the first one: like seeing the gentle patience from a high-school-aged mouse dancer with the young girls who flocked around her in hero worship; and of course, sharing in Emma's enjoyment.

Staging rehearsal. Look at those fingertips!

I'm so glad I got to spend this time with Emma again. It was a better experience because of my wish to make it so.

By Nutcracker week I'd had many pulls on my time this month, some scheduled, some surprising. I had a big church meeting on Elise's birthday Nov. 6 that I also delegated so I could be with her. The next day a dear friend in my ward, Kris Gibson, passed away, and I felt I needed to visit some of our neighbors in person to tell them. It took far longer than I expected, but I was glad I did. Preparing for her funeral was a labor of love. Then, I wanted to recognize the first anniversary of the passing of a woman's husband. I failed to get a gift, flowers or a card. It wasn't as grand when I simply called her and left a voicemail message but the important thing was to let her know I remembered. On another day a woman told me of someone she knew struggling to feel accepted at church. I thought about this sister for days, ultimately deciding to take her a note during the week letting her know I value her. It was an hour before church when I finally made it to her house. A family member answered and offered to call her to the door. With my car running and a child inside who needed to be dropped off to a meeting, I declined the invitation and asked the family member to deliver my note instead.

I sorely regretted it.

I couldn't believe I passed up on the opportunity to give of my time. To give of myself.

So I look at these pictures and see not just soldiers, but a paradigm shift brought to light as I spent time supporting them. I'm glad to have such a vivid association with my new commitment to freely give in the moment, to not catalog all I could be doing instead. To make the most of it, and be happy.

My birthday fell during Nutcracker week. I had four different chaperone assignments, but fortuitously I got to be with Emma's group on my birthday. Earlier in the day my sister-in-law Brooklynn came to Elise's choir class to sing even though she was up to her eyeballs preparing to move. It meant the world to me. Brooklynn blew them away, as I knew she would. (Click here for a clip from her performance in Hairspray.) Elise positively glowed in the attention. Seeing someone give time to my daughter and make her smile was the best birthday present ever.

These pictures on stage are from the Wednesday dress rehearsal. Emma is second from right.

By Clara

As Drosselmeyer issues commands.

These two pictures of take-off and landing are a second apart, and I missed the air in between. Shoot!

Feedback from their teacher Bethany Boster, second from left, after the first performance.

Emma unleashes her bun. She didn't get my "I Dream of Jeannie" reference. 

Friday: Grandma Hatch, Emma with Red Soldier teddy bear, Aunt Katie, Elise. Oh, look. It's the men's bathroom! My parents and friend Nora and daughters came Saturday matinee, and another aunt and two cousins came Saturday night. Thanks for supporting us, despite the photographic proof. (Blasted battery!)

Friday: Cousins Josie and Amelia swooped unto Emma as soon as she came out. 

Saturday matinee before heading to stage. Emma is in back row, second from right.