Let the Competition Begin

Well, the 2007 show choir competition has officially started. On Saturday, our school hosted an invitational with over 40 choirs in competition. Trust me when I say that for the kids who are really "into" show choir, it is bigger than life.

I'm happy to report that DD's group won their 9th grade division. We did not expect them to win at the first competition of the season, and let me tell you, there was an extreme amount of excitement in the air (along with the aerosol hairspray).

It wouldn't be show choir season without some Hair Drama. As usual, we used foam rollers to put up DD's hair the night before the event. It takes me about an hour to do this. Unfortunately, we were gone until fairly late on Friday evening and didn't get them in soon enough. Saturday morning, the hair was still damp and we had no curls. In fact, we had a terrible mess. It took some quick action with the TURBO setting of the curling iron to recover. Big stress for mom. Lots of hair spray. High drama at our house.

Six of the top varsity groups competed in finals that evening. It really was a tremendous show, with so many incredibly talented singers and dancers. During the course of the day, I couldn't help but think that a part of this whole process is letting go...letting our kids discover their talents and grow into whoever they are meant to become and wherever it may take them in life. Maybe that's why I was so touched by the lyrics to the song (shown below) which one of the groups performed.

All in all, it was an exciting, emotional day for the performers and those who were lucky enough to watch. And to think, this is only the beginning, in so many ways.

When You Come Home

My first day of recess they all laughed at me
When I fell off the swing set and scraped up my knee

The nurse called my Momma to say I'd be late,
And when she gave me the phone I could hear Momma say
"I'm so sorry, son. Oh I think you're so brave."

And she was smilin' when she said:

When you come home, no matter how far,
Run through the door and into my arms
It's where you are loved, it's where you belong
And I will be here when you come home.

I waved good-bye through the window as I boarded the plane,
My first job in Houston was waiting for me.

I found a letter from Momma tucked in my coat
And as I flew down the runway I smiled when she wrote:
I'll miss you, son, you'll be so far away

But I'll be waiting for the day

When you come home no matter how far,
Run through the door and into my arms
It's where you are loved, it's where you belong,
And I will be here when you come home

Well, I don't think she can hear you now,
The doctor told me, your mother is fading,
It's best that you leave

So I whispered, I love you and then turned away.
But I stopped at the door when I heard Momma say,
I love you, son, but they're callin' me away

Promise me before I go

When you come home, no matter how far,
Run through the door and into my arms;
It's where you are loved, it's where you belong,
And I will be here when you come home,
When you come home.