GO:
She walks up on stage, little legs and arms unsure as she stares out into the crowd. I view her through the camera lens, my little girl, on stage with her daycare class as they sing for the parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters. I see her every day and yet? This view from the crowd? It makes her seems so much more more grown up.
When did my baby become a toddler? When did she learn how to spot me in a crowd and reach for me across the heads and cameras and smiling faces of the other parents? They sing songs of bus wheels and talk about what they do when they’re happy and they know it. Not my girl though. Oh she might swish wipers or honk a horn, but she’s not loving her perch there on the stage. She spots mommy again through the crowd, her view singular. Focused.
I slide out of view so she can enjoy her time with her friends. It’s interesting that sometimes being hidden from view makes the experience more tolerable. She can be herself. And I sneak peeks and though she isn’t the happiest kid in the performance, she’s mine. And I’m proud.
I love this view.
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Julie Wilson says
adorable!! I’ve got a Kindergarten graduation on the calendar this coming week! looking forward to that view!!
Jennifer Kostick says
Beautiful! My oldest is twenty. Time does fly. By the way, your view is beautiful. She is such a cutie!
Susan Heiser says
My “babies” are 33 and 30 but I remember the days when I had to stay a little hidden so that they could start learning to be themselves apart from me, too. Great post!
Karrilee Aggett says
Beautiful!!! I can almost see her too! I clearly see your love for her! #totesadorbs
Amy Carden Corley says
What a wonderful perspective, Crystal! I have asked similar questions: when did she learn such poise? when did he learn those leadership skills? And you are right, sometimes they need us to be just out of their view so they can focus. Sweet mommy moments :).
Mary Bonner says
Enjoy this time Crystal…the view does change quickly, doesn’t it. Hugs!!
Ashley Ditto says
Precious post! Loved it!
Ashley from http://theheartofashley.blogspot.com/
Kelly says
I love watching my little ones when they don’t know I’m there. What a sweet girl who loves her mommy!
Crystal says
it’s a blessing my camera has a good zoom 😉
Crystal says
lol you can try..but apparently she did nothing but scream during rehearsals and she covers her ears & says “no mommy” when I try to sing to her 😉
Crystal says
Thanks Jacque!
Crystal says
lol I think it’s something all moms do, ninja style observation to make sure the kiddo is ok 😉
Crystal says
just another reminder of the work God does behind the scenes, constantly, without me needing to interfere 🙂
Crystal says
lol…I don’t…I have to do it when she’s at daycare or sleeping 😉
Crystal says
I think I need to stock up on tissues now..that day will be here too soon!
Crystal says
Oh she’ll be so brave and beautiful!
Crystal says
passing the tissues…
Crystal says
oh mine either Amy! let’s just pretend those big moments won’t happen for a VERY long time…
Amy Clary says
I love reading about how you slipped out of view so she could enjoy her friends. That touches a little ache in my heart; the beginning of stepping back for their own independence. It starts in small ways but my heart can’t handle to think of the big. And so, one day at a time, enjoying these moments with my littles.
Amy says
Thanks, I am in tears now. I have seen my baby girl (little boy) across so many different stages through the years and in some ways I would love to go back to any of them. However, each one has given me sweet memories and opens the door to the next one. Cherish this one as you look towards the next.
Sarah says
I’m getting ready to send my big girl onto stage for the first time at her upcoming dance recital. So excited and nervous to see how she does. How different she’ll look from the stage, I’m sure. Just like your precious peanut.
Mary@The Calm of His Presence says
My “baby girl” graduated from Kindergarten last week :-(. While she was on stage singing as one of the “big kids” I had flashbacks of when she was the littlest one on stage, how quickly it went by. Thanks for sharing the memories.
Leslie Streeter says
Crystal…She’s so cute! How can you get any work done with that little one there being so adorable? I love your attitude and writing. Also…go ‘Os.
Lindsey Brackett says
Oh those preschool graduations…we had ours for daughter #3 this week. So sweet an you’re right, so focused on finding mommy in the crowd.
Denise Oldham says
Sweet, sweet post.
Kris Camealy says
They grow and change literally in front of our eyes, and yet we don’t even see the half of it. But then. these few moments we have when we get to see them from the outside, and suddenly, they seem so different, so much more than how we were looking at them before… beautiful, moments…
Jen Underwood says
YES!! My girls, too. I have to watch hidden from view to see who they are with their friends. (A) glad I am not the only one. and (B) thanks for the new perspective of how it’s ok to do that and not worry about it 🙂
Jacque Watkins says
So very sweet, Crystal…I miss those toddler moments. What a gift!
steflayton says
YES – when did my baby become a 10yr old. {sigh}
Gabrielle Daigle says
Precious! I remember my daughter’s first performance, and it was something similar.
Jennifer D. says
Oh yes, it’s so crazy watching our wee ones grow into themselves….and therefore we grow in our mothering selves!
lisha epperson says
the view is in a perpetual state of change. thank God for the wisdom to enjoy it moment by moment.
Barbie says
I miss that view, when mine were littles. Now, I have a different view (often looking up to those taller than me). But it’s all beautiful!
OneGirl says
Pleeeeease bring her in July. I will sing with her all day long.
TeriLynneU says
I love this … and my girl was the same way. I had to hide so she could be there with her class.
Positively Alene says
Treasure that view. That view passes all too quickly. I have a new view now. College and relationships are in our view. A new season of life opens the windows of new views. Oh how I miss your view!
Heather Mertens says
Cherish and remember those views. They fly by. Mine is 18 now. A whole different view. 🙂 but still a great one!
Linda Stoll says
sweet, sweet, those cherished moments …
Hearts On Guard says
Awwww! I remember that first performance for my Stinker, too. He kept trying to spot me in the crowd but couldn’t. I felt horrible that he couldn’t find me, and he refused to sing, even though he had practiced endless hours at home at the top of his lungs. Thank you for transporting me back to my own similar memories. You will constantly wonder where the time has gone when you watch your kids grow up. 🙂
Crystal says
it’s such a “big girl” thing! and there she was, looking so little, one of the youngest on stage. just wanted to swoop in & snuggle her but knew that would make it worse 🙂
Crystal says
I have started to cherish them more and more recently…especially when I look at tiny babes and honestly can’t remember what those days were like anymore!
Crystal says
I thought for sure they would sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star because she suddenly knows hand motions to it….hand motions…it’s the cutest thing. But nope, that one wasn’t on the list.
Crystal says
She legitimately hated every second of it, but I loved seeing her up there with her little friends 🙂
Tonya Salomons says
Oh I love this. I remember that view – seeing my littles on stage and my heart always skipped a beat as I tried to swallow the lump, my throat thick.
Mel says
There have been so many days lately when I’ve wondered when my baby girl became a toddler…it really is like I blinked and the days flew. We’ve got to hold every moment close. 🙂 Love this…have an awesome Friday, my friend! 🙂
Amy Tilson says
So, so sweet! Love those heart-bursting moments when you get just a little glimpse of what’s ahead. Precious!
Lisa-Jo Baker says
Oh good gravy, this one made me all teary on the inside. KNOW JUST what you mean. The most precious of views. Oh my heart.