And the voice

All four first grades at Nathan's elementary school participated in a musical last night entitled "Marsh Music". There were ninety-four first graders participating and two "featured" roles. Nathan snagged one of those featured roles and he even had a line to memorize. He did fabulous...of course.

I had a wonderful time watching Nathan and the rest of his schoolmates. I just tried to soak it in, just like I try to soak it in when he sings in "big church" with his choir. I'm going to miss a lot more performances by Nathan than I will ever get to see. That reality can put a lot of pressure and odd emotion on the ones that we are experiencing in the here and now. Last night, for me at least, Lauren was a big factor in just settling in to enjoy it. She absolutely loved the entire thing. She perked up and paid attention as soon as the kids started singing and she clapped along to each song and applauded with the crowd at the end of the songs. For awhile she was even up dancing along in the aisle. She giggled and directed and when she recognized her big brother out there in front of all the other kids she laughed and pointed. It was a good night.



Nathan's line was:

And the voice was a varied and stirring one that ought to be better known.

As he was memorizing and practicing the line it struck me that Nathan has a wonderful voice that won't get the opportunity to be well known. As I thought about it more I'm taking some comfort in that Nathan's story and spirit are known to many through the wonderful community of people that has grown to support him and our family. It is a cold comfort but I guess I'll take what I can.

Best "featured blackbird" ever.

(Cross-posted to A Night in the Box and Cancer Dad)

Back to School

My boy is going to school tomorrow. "All day" school. First grade. They have been in session for a couple of weeks. Nathan's immune system hasn't been up to snuff for being out of the house much, let alone sharing a small space with a bunch of snot-nosed kids. He has been getting tutored at home, but we want more than the learning for him. We want him to experience school and make friends. He has a window of a couple of days that he can go while his counts are up and before we head to New York for tests and maybe more treatment. There is a really high likelihood that the next treatment he gets will knock his immune system down again for awhile where he can't be in school, so I'm really happy that he gets to go to school tomorrow. Really. I feel happy about it. It is nice to feel good, even if it is only for a brief moment.

As I closed the door of their bedroom tonight after going in to tell them to stop talking to each other and go to sleep, I heard Nathan say quietly, "Julia, I'm going to have fun tomorrow". And yes, I'm teary-eyed as I type that.

My boy is going to have fun tomorrow.