Prize-giving

I was invited to attend Willow's prize-giving earlier in the week. Initially I said I wouldn't come as we were still building the fence. However, on Monday morning, Michael phoned to say he wouldn't be out until after lunch. There were fish to catch.

I had spent the night feeling guilty that I wouldn't be going, especially as I knew Willow would only be with us for another year, which makes each occasion like this even more special.

I jumped at the opportunity and phoned Genevieve to tell her I would now be joining her at the event.

I had read something on Facebook a couple of days previously, written by a former long-time principal who talked about prize-givings. She said that when children were called out for awards they always scanned the audience looking for their parents and when they saw them their faces lit up and they raised their shoulders but if no one was there, the opposite happened and their shoulders drooped.

I was thinking about this as we entered the hall. Willow's class was already standing in preparation for its first performance. Genevieve and I watched Willow. She was scanning the room looking for us just as the principal had stated. As we were seated on the far right, her eyes never quite made contact. Then she spotted us. Her whole demeanour changed. Immediately she broke into a big smile, which remained, and one could see her nervousness dissipate.

As I stood watching this pretty girl smiling, I thought back to her father. There were many fathers in the hall and some mothers on their own. But each of those children whose fathers were not present, would have one out there somewhere. Perhaps he was busy at work or maybe he no longer resided at home but he would still be there, only a video or phone call away. For Willow, there isn't one and these are the times when I feel her pain. I felt the tears welling up. Then Genevieve following suit. In reality, that wasn't Willow's pain, but our pain in knowing what she was missing out on and the wonderful man we had all lost. In that moment, Willow wasn't caring her dad wasn't there, she was happy because she had her mum and nana present.

Willow did receive a certificate, one for literacy, which I thought was pretty special, considering English is her second language.

I was so pleased I had come to share that proud moment, watching this little girl with head raised and shoulders back as she held the certificate in front of her chest.