One of those swelling-with-pride-moments that will never leave me

Shhhhhh...shhhhhh children.......shhhhh. 

A bit of shuffling and coughing happens. A baby in the audience wails, parents and grandparents try unsuccessfully slouching comfortably in the hard school chairs. We are all here to celebrate the harvest festival and the children are performing songs and playing instruments while we munch on biscuits and teas made by the school committee.


Now, says the headteacher, the children have been practising hard for today's performance and we all hope that you enjoy the show.............


My heart is thumping so hard I am sure it will drown out the singing.  I smile a confident proud-mummy smile and sneak a wave to my Youngest and he, all grown up and in his final year of junior school, gives me a knowing nod and half smile.

We listen to the 'littlies' singing (singing?) their harvest song and smile as they jump around and wave at their parents. We dutifully clap and smile as they sit down. Slightly older girls come forward and play their recorders in typical squeaky school recorder fashion and although we know what they are playing - because we are told - I struggle to follow the tune, but I suspect that my rave style thump-thumping heart is getting in the way of any melody. A bit more singing, then two girls play their flutes - they are more proficient that the recorder players and I can hear the tune but am very aware that my hands are shaking. A round of applause, then bit more singing, a further two flautists play, even more advanced than the previous two and the sound they produce is beautiful. Then, I swallow hard, and feel almost faint with nerves - why?

Because my beautiful youngest stands up and walks over to the piano and plays - faultlessly - three pieces. The hall, which had been filled with nattering parents, tea stirring and biscuit munching sounds was now completely stilled......stilled by the notes that my precious boy is filling the hall with. I want to cry with pride.

And all I can see of this little music man?     Is the top of his blonde head.....................!

I wasn't the only one with tears in my eyes.