Outstanding Achievements! (And no, I'm not talking about my crochet!).....

 

Last night, as a family we attended my daughters schools, 'Outstanding Achievements Awards Evening'. The secondary school my daughter attends is a Specialist Performing Arts College, and they hire the local theatre for the evening.

 

You can just imagine the talent displayed in these evenings, the children were fabulous, there is indeed lots of talent within the school, a very moving evening. A theatre packed with proud parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters.

 

There were the usual faces, those children I've seen through primary school, getting their awards. They should be proud, their parents should be proud. (When the 'Creative Writing' award was given, Little Bea whispered to me, "That's the one I want Mum"....you know something, I wouldn't be surprised if she did!)

 

 

So what award were we waiting for? Dance, Drama? Outstanding achievement in mathematics or science? No, none of them.

 

I'm not sure if my daughter will ever receive an award at one of these evenings. She quiet, she doesn't speak out. She hasn't learnt that smiling and chatting to your teacher gets you noticed, or that class disruption may get your needs met. No, she sits very still, very quiet. She wants no one to pay her any attention. If she draws attention to herself, if she gets noticed, people will look at her, she hates being looked at.

 

So my daughter may never get one of those awards, being so quiet, she's often overlooked. It would take a very special teacher to notice her. To realise what she's achieving, it may not be as outstanding as other children, but a huge achievement for her.

 

 

So, you may ask, why were we there?

 

 

Well, despite her difficulties, despite the fact she HATES being in public view, she sat on that stage, and played four pieces on her clarinet. She may have been part of a concert band, but she did it! Overcame her difficulties!

 

 

 

We were very, very proud parents. And guess what, the band played right at the end.....she had to 'hold her nerves' for almost two hours! I'm not sure I could have done that, are you?

 

When we collected her from the stage door she was buzzing, so proud of herself. I could hardly contain her! Later as I tucked her up in bed, she beamed at me.

 

"I'm bouncing with confidence Mum" she said. This is something that rarely happens to her, it's a new feeling. "I'm going to do it again!" Confidence is a good, good feeling isn't it?!

 

 

And so Mr Bea and I have our own 'Outstanding Achievement Award' to present, to our Daughter. For Bravery and Overcoming Difficulties. It's a pity those awards aren't actually ever given out!

 

My confidence is growing too, getting to grips with these crochet pattern, slowly improving! New cushion, you can never have too many of those!

Welcome to those who've just found me, thanks to those who leave your thoughts, who join in with the conversation! Right need to dash, housework to be done, then another concert to attend, Little Bea and a Ukulele. Love it!

Bye for now!

Ada Bea, Very Proud Mum! :) xxx

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