A couple of weeks ago, Chickie had her year end dance recital. Their call time was at 12:30 and rehearsals started at 1:30 (and went until 4:30). Her dad came towards the end, bringing food as well as her sister, Meelie. Chickie was fidgety and had a hard time slowing down enough to eat. She was non-stop chatter, which unless she wants something, is highly unusual for her.

This was her night. After years of practicing, sore muscles, sweat and performances, she was going to perform a solo. People? She NAILED it! During the break she admitted to me just how nervous she was. Back stage, before she went on for her piece, her friends helped her dress and do her hair. Dad, Meelie and I locked hands when it was her turn. The spotlight was shining down upon her and I felt my heart accelerate. I was sweaty, and my eyes became moist (and I wasn't the one performing). She had worked so hard for the moment and like any other mother; I wanted it to be perfect. Isn't that what all moms do?

It was flawless. Absolutely, flawless. Before you tell me that I am biased (I resemble that remark completely), I had several people come up to me during the intermission to tell me how wonderful she did and how much she has grown and improved over the years. And then I melted. All of the other dances went just as well (she was in 9 of them). Recently, the recitals moved to the Fine Arts Center at the University of North Florida, and they seem to be getting better every year.

If you could have just seen her face after the show and sat with her, listening to her animated conversation, you would realize why we don't mind taking her to all of her practices and why we don't mind paying tuition. The recital is where it all comes together.

And she's good. Very good. And she loves it. You can't get any better than that.