Thanks to the Backgrounders

My son had a choir concert last night. If you can imagine, I cried through most of it (of course you can imagine, I’m almost five months pregnant). But it wasn’t because of the music, solely—it was because of the Backgrounders. From start to finish I was impressed with the dedication and love of these good adults who spend countless hours—often not on school time—to make sure our children feel confident and develop their talents.
My heart was touched as the choir director specifically involved the students as much as possible—one girl had practiced leading an entire song, another student played the piano for another piece, and another played drums. She even had a grandpa from the community sing the lead for the Grinch song (and did it perfectly, too!) From student mini solos, to involving the entire jazz band with the thunk of the drums and the slightly off key trumpet, it was a beautiful evening because of her tremendous efforts to help every student feel needed and successful.
 
As my husband rushed in to make the performance, I saw the other men around me in business suits and harried expressions and immediately knew what choreography had gone into not just the moms attending, but the dads too. My heart felt this whoosh of, this is one of those parenting  paychecks. These are the keeper moments—going to your child’s concert or play or recital—and you bring the camera, and forget the batteries, and feel proud as a peacock to see them stand awkwardly in their slicked hair and fancy get ups. And I thought of the work and effort that it had taken for these wonderful leaders to create this memorable parental moment for us.
But it doesn’t stop there. A few nights before I had attended a school play with my son, a musical version of “A Christmas Carol.” Again, you could feel the hours spent by this director to help each person be their best. In the brief program intro, the director shared that she does this—rather than make mega bucks or notoriety somewhere else—because she loves the students. Everywhere I have turned—my daughter’s dance teacher, my son’s college professors—I feel the significance of those who are not readily recognized for their consistent but sometimes invisible efforts.
This holiday season, can we stop and thank the Backgrounders? All those men and women who make the details of our lives happen? Take a moment today and thank the postal worker, the driver of the garbage truck, the secretary at the school, or the afterschool program director. These good people love our children, or at least help them feel that way, and help them further become happier, civilized, and contributing human beings.
Just for today, give a pat to the Backgrounder in your life. And if it’s you, pat yourself, put your feet up, and have some chocolate—you deserve it!
Best,
Connie
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