Size Matters

There are certain advantages to being short. Most of my family, while otherwise considered vertically challenged, has occasionally found a nugget of gold lying in these weeds.

Today, my granddaughter was in a musical performance given by all the kindergarten classes in her school. The auditorium filled with mothers, fathers, grandparents along with the occasional sibling, aunt or uncle (apart from an aunt, we checked all the boxes). Cameras at the ready throughout, all eager to record history being made.

About 60 children had taken to the stage. But only those in the very front row of a group that lined up four or five deep could be seen from stem to stern by the assembled. They were, at least to the naked eye, assigned their position from smallest to super sized. And of course, in the very middle of those lined up with a wholly unimpeded view of the audience, and vice versa, was my granddaughter.

I am quite certain, like me, the others watching events unfold were entirely focused on the young lady in the beautiful dress with the very large bow in her hair. Oh sure, there were plenty of other exceedingly cute little people on either side of her and throughout the multiple layers to her rear. But, I mean, could anyone take their eyes off of that center stage star? Come on, be honest.

Her father, seated next to me, recorded the event for those unfortunate enough not to be in attendance. For nearly half an hour, in perfect harmony, with perfect pitch, perfect utilization of sign language and signs reinforcing how wonderful this school year had been, we were, as one, mesmerized. In truth, the kids were actually pretty damn good, all seeming to have remembered a mountain of words and some intricate phrasing over these past several weeks.

And when it was done, they descended from the heavens and took their seats. And then emptied into the playground for several hours of, well I am not quite sure what to call what they were doing there.

I am just thankful, grateful, that I could count myself among those privileged to be here. And that I could have given to my granddaughter a present that is likely to last a lifetime: namely, being in the front row of all group activities where size (or, more precisely, the lack thereof ) matters.

--