Manda, me, Sarah
Hey Friends!
I have a fun update on Manda’s honor choir experience. I’m including the original blog post first, and then I’ve included the photo update as a PS at the bottom. Enjoy!
It’s that time of year again — honor’s choir try-outs at the middle school.
Ugh.
As if navigating the daily life of tween children isn’t challenging enough, why must we purposely provide opportunities for our dear children’s dreams to be crushed?
Life isn’t preschool t-ball when everyone is a winner — I know, I know.
But sometimes this sensitive mama sure wishes it could be.
You may remember from last year, my middle daughter Manda — fun loving, can’t stop singing, “Taylor Swift wanna be” Manda — nervously tried out for the Middle Schools’ Honors Choir.
We heard a rumor that mostly only 7th and 8th graders made this elite choir team, although tryouts were open to any child 5th through 8th grade. But my girl loves to sing, wanted to give it a try as a 5th grader, and looked forward to the choir audition.
Me, on the other hand, not so much.
I’m the mama bear who likes to protect her cubs. Life has not been easy for Manda in many ways—school bullying, emotional challenges, etc. Would encouraging her to tryout, setting her up for the possibility of more rejection, be the best choice?
However, I soon realized her tryout was bringing up old fears of rejection’s painful sting from my childhood. I was bringing my old fears into her new days.
I know what you’re thinking — Not good, Cindy. Not good.
So with a fresh determination to use this situation to not only bring healing and health to my heart, but to also grow myself as a mom strengthened by faith, I committed to learning how to walk through rejection in a healthy, whole way with my children.
I made a list of specific ways I would help my children when the answer is “NO,” including, “if she doesn’t make it this year, I’ll help make sure Manda follows through on her promise to give it a try next year.”
Sometimes easier said than done.
Two days after the audition I received the dreaded e-mail: the choir teacher wanted to caution me I may have a disappointed daughter after school. My girl who loves to sing did not make the honors choir.
Ugh.
Sweet friends, Manda had a choice.
We always have a choice, don’t we?!
Manda could allow this one audition to defeat her dreams, or she could use it to propel her towards hard work, perseverance, and more preparation.
My amazing daughter choose the latter.
My girl after her performance in “Annie”
Over the past year, I’ve watched her work hard to keep her dream alive. She has stepped out of her shy shell and volunteered for a kids worship team on Sunday mornings. She went to a musical camp over the summer. She started working with a voice coach on a weekly basis, and has spent many hours at home going over her assignments and song lessons.
Bottom line: Manda didn’t give up on her dream based on hearing the word “no” one time, by one person.
This past Friday was the honors choir try-out for this school year.
We remembered the rumor that mostly only 7th and 8th graders made this elite team, and this year Manda is a 6th grader. But once again, Manda wanted to try and spent many hours practicing and preparing for the choir audition.
All weekend Manda was on pins and needles waiting for the results. “Did you get an email, Mom? Did you get an email?”
Thankfully the “caution” email did not come, because yesterday when the list was posted outside the choir classroom, Manda’s name was on the list. She made it! Woo Hoo!
Let the confetti celebration begin!
Today we are celebrating my daughter Amanda — not only because she made the team (although we are excited for her), but mostly because she did not give up on her dream, even after hearing the dreaded word, “no” the first go round.
How about for you, friend?
When was the last time you wanted to quit? In what ways have you allowed old fear and rejection to impact your new days? What is one thing you can do today towards stepping out in faith towards your dreams? I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*. Have a wonderful, courage-filled week!
P.S. And now for the photo update: Monday night was the Middle School Choir Concert, including the Honor’s Choir. Here’s a picture of my girl and her classmates singing their little hearts out. Thank You, God!
GRCMS Honor’s Choir Manda is the last one in the second row on the far left
Cindy this reminds me so much of a story about Matt. He didn’t make soccer team as freshman but he didn’t give up. Immediately he practiced with his friends, he joined a soccer club for the summer. He was bullied there somewhat because kids from other schools found out he didn’t mske the freshman team. For the first time ever I said he could quit but he didn’t want to.
The next year he made the team and played a lot! He grew so much at that time. His faith became stronger. In his junior year he was starter! He was so determined. He was described this way by his coach. He had tenacity. We were so proud of him. A car accident took his life in the middle of the junior season. His soccer coach, became a big part in our healing because of the person Matt became and who he was to his coach. All the tough things helped shape his life into an awesome Jesus loving young man. As you know we miss him so even after 17 years.
Good for your sweet daughter!