Someone ... Give That Girl A Tissue!

There was practice on Wednesday evenings.

I would take Alexis to gather with her friends and my niece in the choir room on the second floor.

She would chatter in the car on the way across town.

Her excitement was evident.

When I'd pull into the parking lot she would jump from her seat and run from the car as fast as she could.

She would turn back, only briefly, to smile and wave and then she would vanish quickly into the church.

Weeks prior to their first big performance, she would ramble daily about the date to come, the expectations and ... the songs.

She would sing the songs for me.

She would practice her movements.

And then ...

The big day finally arrived.

Alexis set her Betty Boop alarm clock and rose early.

She put on her pretty floral church dress and white shoes.

Mama fixed her hair and sprayed it with a touch of hairspray.

She was ready.

I, with my family, found a seat in the church near the front.

My sister-in-law sat on my right side and my husband was on my left.

My twin daughters were there as well.

We waited.

The music began.

The children entered the sanctuary and made their way to the stage, in front of the pulpit.

They walked quietly and orderly.

They formed a semi-circle ... 3 rows of 10.

They each wore burgundy choir robes in petite sizes.

They looked like little angels.

I searched the faces of the children.

I looked for my niece and I found her.

I waved.

I looked for Alexis.

I looked some more.

I leaned over to my sister-in-law, "Where's Alexis? Do you see Alexis?"

She gazed over at the children.

She leaned back towards me, "There she is," and she pointed, "There --- the one ... wiping the snot ... on her robe sleeve."

"Oh, yes - now I see her ........."

On the upside ... They sang beautifully.