Disapointment

Let me start by saying the title is not what it may seem. Yes there is some disapointment involved here, but its the way my husband helped my daughter through it which I would like to share.

Yesterday evening my daughter A, my older daughter, was slated to receive a poetry award. She is an avid writer and poetry is one of the means she expresses herself. She always lays all of her feelings and emotions on the line, each line, every line. Her poetry moves me beyond just being her mom. She has a real talent.

So, needless to say when we learned she had won an award, we were very excited!  We all piled in the car. Now, my mommies and daddies out there know what this means. Getting the baby ready, the middle daughter, and making sure the teenager looks perfect. Can you picture it? Are you with me? Ok good. We headed off to the auditorium to await the wonderful event. About a half hour in, you know after they thank everyone and there mother, give awards to teachers and continue to thank everyone, we finally begin. It started with the 6th grade awards. I noticed 51 kids stand up, but only 10 got awards. Then 7th grade and the same thing happened. Well I knew then A was very disapointed. It seems her poem will only be printed in an anthology book. She did not win anything. She was not only devestated but very disapointed.

Back in the car we went, plus one very large black cloud. Again are you feeling me parents? She is a teenager. The black cloud only grows and gets heavier. The trick is to make it rain before you whind up with a tornado. Thank all the calming spirits I have my wonderful husband. He diffused this situation very well.  He began by asking A what she thought of the other students poems. (They read the winners poems) She said they were ok. He then began to tell her how simple he felt the poetry was. He noted none of the writers exposed themselves, as if just writing for the teacher not themselves. The poems were all happy and optimistic. While being happy and optimistic is not bad, poetry needs to strip the author and reader down. Expose the truth and enlighten. My A's poetry does just this. No, her writing is not happy and fru fru, but you will learn something about yourself. My husband opened my daughter's eyes to a very cruel and honest truth in life. Sometimes when we put ourselves out there, we risk being disapointed.

Does this mean she should quit and not try. Absolutly not! I want her try even harder. Her voice is important and she recognized this. She understood that while someone else holds a piece of paper, an award, her work is not to be discounted. Her work is to be counted! The paper and recognition is very nice, but not always given. A true artist defies the moment and persues her dreams. My husband did this. He taught her this. Now, there are times when the man can drive me crazy, but not this night. This night he amazed me. Needless to say my A did not stay disapointed long.

It's moments like this which teach me how to hope, love, forgive, and learn. Just a simple act of support for our daughter. It will help her be a stronger woman and know how important she is. My kids they are a gift. My husband a gift for me. So, I hope my small story helps to inspire you or help you through a small situation in your life. Teach our kids the reality of life. No, not everyone makes the team, we don't always win, and life hurts sometimes. But it is how we deal with life which determines our fate. Be better, be stronger, be determined, and live in the moment. Defeat the tuff moments, cherrish the special moments and learn to recognize how important to this life all of our moments are.