Sometimes my daughter just floors me and leaves me speechless.
Whenever I pack her lunch, I always include a little love note. Last night she decided to write me one (a book, actually) and she put it in my lunch bag. I'll type what she meant, since we're still working on spelling!
I Love You
by Maya Scribner
I love you because you help me make stuff.
I love you because you color with me.
I love you because you take my picture pretty.
I love you because you help me put clothes on.
I love you because you are my mom.
I love you because you help me read books.
I love you because you pack my lunch.
I love you because when I feel scared, you help me feel safe.
And most of all, I love you because you love me.
And that is what makes being a mom totally worth it!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Amazing opportunities
When I became a mother, one of my goals was to be able to offer my kids (stepkids and daughter included) more opportunities than what I was afforded as a child. There was so much I wanted to do and learn while growing up, but for mostly financial reasons, was never able to take advantage of them. While we also have some financial limitations on giving our children everything they want (which would spoil them anyway!), I do want to ensure they get opportunities in life to learn and explore.
The career path I have chosen has actually afforded me some interesting opportunities. First, my career in radio allowed me to meet many country singers (Brooks and Dunn, John Michael Montgomery, Lee Roy Parnell, just to name a few). As a presenter at a performance venue, I also got to meet performers such as Keith Urban, Bea Arther, Debbie Gravitte, and more. Now, in my career in orchestra marketing, I've been able to work with Broadway 'divas' such as Linda Eder, Heather Headley, and now, Idina Menzel.
Last night, Idina Menzel performed with the Colorado Symphony. I have known of Idina since her Rent days. As a Gleek, my daughter knows Idina as "Rachel's mom" on Glee. So it was with great excitement that Maya and I attended the concert last night. Oh, and the legendary Marvin Hamlisch conducted and played piano on some numbers. The first half was orchestra only. Marvin played "Memory" as a solo on the piano. I asked Maya if she liked it and she said "It almost made me cry." I LOVE that my daughter gets music, that she can get the emotion from it.
Maya kept asking "When is Idina coming out?" Finally, the second half of the show started and out walks Idina. I looked over at Maya and the expression on her face was priceless. This woman who she has seen on TV and has heard sing from my iPod is in front of her on stage. She clapped with giddiness and giggled like, well, a school girl.
After the concert, she kept asking if she could meet her. Being a staff member of the orchestra, we were able to get backstage. We waited and waited and finally Idina came out of her dressing room. I pretty much told Maya "go up to her" (kids can get away with bold moves like this.) She did and Idina turned around and said "Oh, Hi!" Maya got to talk with her, we got her picture taken with her, and she got a goodbye hug. As we were walking away, I knew that all the sacrifices that I have made to get to where I am in my career isn't just for me. It's also benefiting my daughter by giving her these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet these amazing performers. How many 6-year-olds get to see an orchestra up close and personal, and has attended numerous concerts? She gets to meet musicians, conductors, singers, dancers, aerialists and acrobats (she got to meet the performers of Cirque de la Symphonie earlier this year).
I don't want this to sound like I'm bragging. I just am so glad that what I've chosen to do in life is having such a positive influence on my child. She is being offered opportunities and experiences that I wasn't able to have as a child. Maybe that's why I have chosen the career path that I have as well. To have these experiences now as an adult, sometimes I feel a bit giddy like a school girl as well.
The career path I have chosen has actually afforded me some interesting opportunities. First, my career in radio allowed me to meet many country singers (Brooks and Dunn, John Michael Montgomery, Lee Roy Parnell, just to name a few). As a presenter at a performance venue, I also got to meet performers such as Keith Urban, Bea Arther, Debbie Gravitte, and more. Now, in my career in orchestra marketing, I've been able to work with Broadway 'divas' such as Linda Eder, Heather Headley, and now, Idina Menzel.
Last night, Idina Menzel performed with the Colorado Symphony. I have known of Idina since her Rent days. As a Gleek, my daughter knows Idina as "Rachel's mom" on Glee. So it was with great excitement that Maya and I attended the concert last night. Oh, and the legendary Marvin Hamlisch conducted and played piano on some numbers. The first half was orchestra only. Marvin played "Memory" as a solo on the piano. I asked Maya if she liked it and she said "It almost made me cry." I LOVE that my daughter gets music, that she can get the emotion from it.
Maya kept asking "When is Idina coming out?" Finally, the second half of the show started and out walks Idina. I looked over at Maya and the expression on her face was priceless. This woman who she has seen on TV and has heard sing from my iPod is in front of her on stage. She clapped with giddiness and giggled like, well, a school girl.
After the concert, she kept asking if she could meet her. Being a staff member of the orchestra, we were able to get backstage. We waited and waited and finally Idina came out of her dressing room. I pretty much told Maya "go up to her" (kids can get away with bold moves like this.) She did and Idina turned around and said "Oh, Hi!" Maya got to talk with her, we got her picture taken with her, and she got a goodbye hug. As we were walking away, I knew that all the sacrifices that I have made to get to where I am in my career isn't just for me. It's also benefiting my daughter by giving her these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet these amazing performers. How many 6-year-olds get to see an orchestra up close and personal, and has attended numerous concerts? She gets to meet musicians, conductors, singers, dancers, aerialists and acrobats (she got to meet the performers of Cirque de la Symphonie earlier this year).
I don't want this to sound like I'm bragging. I just am so glad that what I've chosen to do in life is having such a positive influence on my child. She is being offered opportunities and experiences that I wasn't able to have as a child. Maybe that's why I have chosen the career path that I have as well. To have these experiences now as an adult, sometimes I feel a bit giddy like a school girl as well.
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