Just an observation!

One thing that I really enjoy is watching people, just observing things, patterns, habits or whatever. Let this be a warning to you! Sometimes I floor Sandra with the little trinkets, tidbits I observe. For instance, did you know that I have yet to see someone eat a taco without adjusting their head almost 90 degrees in one direction? Or that you can tell if they are left or right handed in the same process of observation? Perhaps, it comes from too many Hardy Boy mysteries as a child, I have to observe the little things.
Well, last night we went to the kids school for a "Night of old time hymns and patriotic tunes." For me this is like giving me a copy of Old King James Version, and telling me to enjoy! Yes, I can get something from it, but it makes my back hurt!
Well, Sandra and I neither are those parents that celebrate these events. We do truly enjoy being together and making the most of the situation, we put our heads together and observed.....

This event started with the TK & K kids all the way through the 5th graders. And let's not forget the beginners band, medley! The kids are cute and fun to watch, (even the one with his finger in his nose), those who are truly into this singing thing. Some dressed for the black tie event others disheveled. Some comfortable in front of an audience, others bashful. The fun thing is as the ages escalated, the same personalities disclose themselves, but now you add the embarrassment of their parents. No, not the parents embarrassed, but the embarrassment their parents bring to them.

The kids seem completely oblivious, some sing, others find something that grips their focus, attention to say the carpet or music stand, etc. Then you get to the ones, who given a chance to would grab that mic and take it away. Bellowing the "hymns of old" with all the vigor, undeniably getting God's attention!

The beginners band sets up to to fundamentally test the musical prowess of carrying a tune! As every instrument discloses the talents in which it really takes to play. As the reeds flatly miss, the sax plays the sour note and the flute sounds like nails on a chalk board, we cringe.
No, it is not these observations, it is the parents. Each and every time we attend these events, we take note of the way parents behave. As I leaned in towards Sandra, I asked "are these the events we should be capturing on camera?" A parent is easily read, their child comes on stage and suddenly we are transported to some sort of game show and the 15 minutes of fame.
Some will make their way almost to the stage to catch that moment in time with a photographic image, completely ignoring others that may wish for a picture of their child. (These are the ones at Disney that will push your child out of the line to get a quick pic of "johnny" and some character after you've waited in line for what seems like hours for the same opportunity).

Others who now have a production team of granny and papa, aunts, uncles and themselves producing the videos that one day will be a part of the "American Idol" retrospective of their lives to this point on stage. The wide angle shot begins with everyone, then zooming in on their focus, "their child." 3 1/2 minutes of nauseating moving video. I just watch the view finder from their video cameras, suddenly feel as though I have to close my eyes from this motion sickness!
All these moments in time "captured" forever, only to be tossed into a draw to buried by the next event! Or to be pulled out at the next dinner party for all to enjoy.
Other parents were sitting there, talking among themselves. Carrying on a conversations throughout the entire event. Not even acknowledging the "drama" happening all around them. This is an opportunity to "catch up."

I think the parents we enjoyed watching the most were the ones in the rows in front of us. These were three couples who had to get their child's attention. It was like the old "Let's make a Deal" with Monty Hall. Monty would walk through the audience and find the crazed person flailing arms, signs to get his notice, anything that would get a glimpse from him. These parents were doing everything, but standing on the pew and "hooting and hollering." Mostly to no success, as Sandra now leaned in "do they not understand the lights make it hard for them to see them?" No, they continued for this length of time flapping their wings, clown smiles on their faces, heads leaning in together to find out if their child is looking into their view finder! Only to find the delay from digital imaging to have missed the brief instance of their glance. So they start the whole attention getting actions again! And don't you know, they always have more than one child!

Or the parent with the camera phone, focusing in on the "moment" from 50 feet away! This ought to be an image out of focus to look back on and remember when....! Pointing out that blur in the picture is my child!

Not the dream date for either of us, we made the best of it. Joking about all the things happening around us. Hoping not to miss a minute of the pageantry of parents all around us. Reluctantly enjoying the sweet sounds of kids, singing their hearts out. Celebrating through song, the innocence and joy only a child can display. Music is a wonderful thing, even if it is out of tune!
Sandra and I both were drawn to the memory of our youngest, when at another one of these events (preschool) was holding both sides of her dress, clutched in her hands. There she was singing on "stage" with her dress pulled up to her face! Ah, yes we both laughed remembering that moment in time. And Coley, I just want you to know we have this picture captured forever. Not just in our hearts, but we did have a camera!