It's All About the Girl

It’s all about the girl


Fantu has been the focus lately of all our energy. Good, bad, ups and downs. We have been through the entire spectrum of emotion. This is however is the norm for teenage girls.

Two weeks ago we were flying high with lots of positive energy. We (parents and Fantu) were happy and very excited and proud that she would be performing a song she had written at the Spring Choir Concert. She wrote the lyrics and melody just for this show which had a water theme. Her song included both English and Amharic. I ordered her a dress from an online Ethiopian retailer to wear just for the night. She was going to be the lone solo performer that evening. I was bursting with excitement and pride. It turns out I was way more nervous than she was. There really wasn’t any need to be either, she did an amazing job.

http://youtu.be/hiUhpi6mGJ0


As that week closed out things stayed on a high note into the following week. The kids headed into the final week of school. A few final exams, class parties, and farewells to friends that were graduating would dominate the week. I was making plans with Fantu regarding her summer holiday plans. She would be starting off the break with four days of State Choir Camp at UMHB (University of Mary Harding Baylor). We were making plans too for her to attend a second choir camp with several other members of the Gatesville H.S. choir. She would also be attending (as she does every year) the Teen Music Camp in Kerrville. In between all that she is hoping to work three days a week at the Boys and Girls Club. Everything was looking great until Tuesday morning, the choir director posted the choir list for next year. We had been very optimistic that Fantu would be placed in the Varsity Choir. She did not make it. Her director phoned me because Fantu reacted very negatively. Saying she was done with choir and singing. I was so discouraged myself. I wasn’t sure what to do. I knew Fantu didn’t want to be in the Women’s choir another year. We had discussed it. I had even agreed with her earlier in the year that if she did not make varsity she could quit ( so confident was I that she would). That really bit me on the butt! I now had to tell her that I had only said that because I was so sure she would move up I didn’t think I had to worry about it. I talked and begged her for over an hour to please reconsider. Reminded her about how much she had enjoyed the recent months and how far she had come. Talked to her about all the fun things that were planned for the 2013-14 school year, but no, she was done. I knew I couldn’t let her quit, it would be a decision she would later regret. She was showing a stubborn streak that would challenge a red-headed Irishman (and that includes me). So my red-headed Irish temper snapped. I didn’t say a word, I just got up and walked away. I went out and sat by myself. I cried tears of anger, frustration and sadness. I tried to think if there was possibly anything else I could do or say. Nothing reasonable came to mind ( I must admit there were a few ideas but they probably would’ve qualified me as the worst parent ever). I finally went in and went straight to bed. I didn’t even bother with dinner.

The next morning when I woke up I noticed a new posting by Fantu on Facebook “I guess I’ll be taking choir next year”. I don’t know what changed but I smiled a small smile of relief at that moment.

Thursday was the final day of school, her busy summer break had started.

Friday was dominated by dental appointments. Abate first to the orthodontist at 11:15, he finally got his braces off his upper teeth and had to pick up his retainer. He’s been smiling big ever since. Fantu was next at 2:00, she was getting braces on her upper teeth. As soon as we were done there we had to drive to Killeen to the Oral Surgeon for a consult on getting the four molars out so she would have the space to straighten her teeth. We were also going to talk about the possibility of pulling her lower wisdom teeth as they were impacted. By the time we left arrangements had been made for her to get the four molars and all four wisdom teeth removed at once. An appointment was made for this coming Monday, June 17th. I am cringing at the thought of her having eight teeth out. I don’t even want to think about how painful it will be for her for a few days. My poor baby girl.

So I mentioned earlier that Fantu would be attending State choir camp at UMHB this week. I am happy to report that she just loves it! I dropped her off on Tuesday morning and will pick her up Friday at noon. She was nervous when she arrived as she wouldn’t know any of the other campers, but this is Fantu we are talking about – she wasn’t there 2 hours before she had made a friend. As the hours and another day passed she had loads of new friends. Her first worry was that most of the songs are in a foreign language. Spanish, German, French, Latin and it was all very classical which is something she has had little experience with. I assured her she would do great as she has the vocal tone that would be really suited to that style. By the end of the second day her confidence had soared as she learned the music. We were getting texts from her saying – “best day ever” or “I love it here, I could actually go all the way to state”. Smiles and happiness reigned once again.

Well at least for a few days.