This weekend I attended my son’s 5th grade play. It was a musical filled with catchy songs and silly dialogue. His part wasn’t one of the “main” characters, but it was important. He even had a few solo lines he had to sing. He was awesome. I don’t just say that because I am his dad, he truly was awesome!
Some of the main characters, lacked the ability to sing the melody on key, yet they were singing more than any other character. When my son sang, his melody was right where it should have been. He can sing. He has been singing a long time, and he knows when someone else isn’t singing on pitch. I had to laugh because one of the other students was singing the word “critic” as “crit-ict” and it was driving him crazy!
I have to admit, seeing my children on stage is a thrill for me, and I often find myself getting emotional. I’m not sure why, I just well up with emotion. Seeing him on the stage and snapping a gazillion pictures of him, I felt a sense of pride that only a parent can feel. It was the same when I attended my oldest son’s first band concert. I was in band when I was in school, and it was awesome to see him up there playing my old trumpet. I filled with emotion, and felt so happy I could cry.
I remember being in a play when I was in elementary school. I was a singing snowman. I remember being scared to death, but I sang my heart out. I remember my aunt and my grandmother were there along with my folks. I don’t know that they were sitting out in the audience holding back tears, but maybe they were.
The older my boys get, they do more and more things that amaze me. My oldest can drive with me in the car and point out cars with the make, model, and year. I don’t even know how he does that! He can also tell me about singers and actors and whip out birth years and death years without thinking twice. It is amazing. My youngest will come home and tell me facts about animals and historical things they have learned in school. He is quick witted and funny. He is probably going to be the entertainer in the family.
I could be completely wrong, and whatever they decide to do, I will support them. I will always be a source of encouragement. I will offer advice when they ask for it. I will never let them wonder if I am proud of them. I hope that one day, they look back and think I was a good dad. I hope they feel I was a fair dad. I hope they know that I always want what is best for them. I hope they know how very happy I am that I was picked to be their dad.
I know that I am going to be that dad who cries at their graduations. I will cry at their wedding. I will cry when I hear of the birth of my grandchildren. I will probably embarrass them, and I am ok with it. I’m their dad and I can cry happy tears for them as often as I want! Boys, I love you and am so proud of all you do!
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 