A Standing O ...

Thursday night we went to see Joshua's band concert. He plays the clarinet and, in my uninformed opinion, plays very well. He's also taken up playing whatever instrument he can get into his hot little hands. Now, he has begun playing the contra-bass clarinet. He plays the flute, bari-sax, and tuba (at times). We're still working on learning the piano. He already knows how to transpose music on sight and tries to explain it all to me.

All of that to say, the concert went very well (and I am the proud parent of a Berry Junior High School band member). At the end of the concert, the entire crowd of parents stood up to give the students a standing ovation. Obviously, if you noted the previous paragraph, I am all for encouraging our children to excel in everything to which they set their hands/minds. But, a standing ovation???

It reminded me of my favorite line from The Incredibles. You remember when Dash has gotten into trouble for putting a tack on his teacher's chair? Supposedly he got caught on tape. His mother, Mrs. Incredible (aka Elasti-girl) has to go to the school and hear the teacher drone on about how Dash openly mocks him and puts tacks on his seat. As they are riding home, his mom tells him that they (the Supers) have to fit in and be like everybody else. To which Dash responds, "If everyone's special, then no one's special." What a brilliant retort!!!

I would suggest there are some folks who are special: Bill Gates, Michael Jordan, Stephen Hawking, just to name a few. They have excelled far beyond what the average person has accomplished. As a result, they should be applauded, given the title "special" and receive a standing ovation. But not a 7th grader performing 2nd year music at a local junior high school. When they accomplish something of greater significance and ability than any other 7th grader in the state/country/world, then I will certainly rise to my feet and clap louder than everyone else combined.

Maybe that means we need to raise the bar of expectation for our children, to push them to greater heights, and to believe they can excel far beyond our own limitations. I look forward to the day when my children surpass my meager accomplishments. It shouldn't be too difficult. But for the time being, allow me to sit in my seat at the end of the performance/game, catch my child's eye through the maze of bodies standing in front of me, and give him a hearty "attaboy." He knows that I love him and am proud of him.