This is supposed to be the last in the Cello Journal series, but I got caught up, AGAIN, in this hectic December schedules.
Sunday. Still felt guilty that I couldn't find a chance to say Happy Holidays to all my Chinese students at the last lesson, I tried to make myself concentrating on the next mission: baking cookies for friends who will come to Sophie's Recital. But I. Am. Not. A. Baker! I have this issue with measuring. Laura always complains to me, "Mom, will you ever use measuring cups? The ribs/cakes/soup don't taste the same."
"Do you like them?"
"Yes!"
"So, what's the point? Life is unpredictable!" I did say that.
So I spent the whole evening (not including the countless nights last week) baking, cutting, frosting and decorating. I wish I could say I enjoyed it. But I would rather do something else. Homemade cookies! Since when they become a required skills for moms?
Then Sophie fell sick two days before recital. Fever. Then my mind went frantic. "What if the fever doesn't go away for days?""What if she couldn'd do it? she's been preparing for this for the last whole month.""All the invitations are sent out. The room is reserved..." But those just went silently inside. Outside, I was calm.
To make things more complicated, my car broke down that morning. I was stuck in the parking lot of Walmart, with two bunches of fresh cut flowers in my hand. They're for Sophie's Cello Recital that night.
But things worked out just fine. They usually do.
1 The show's on!
1 year of learning. 33 group lessons, 35 private lessons. 17 songs in Book One, 5 variations. Over 3000 repeats of practice over the past year. It all came down to the 15-minute recital.
As she cruised along the songs near the end, I found myself trying very hard not to get emotional. She's so serious, at the same time, the way she played, the way she held her cello, she looked just so majestic!
It was a great recital. Almost flawless. I suppose I should be thrilled and content with where she's right now. However, I feel it's just the beginning. The beginning of another year's journey.
"Never hurry, never stop." It's good. Now, we're more ready.
Comments