Soap box

Tonight I went to my daughters high school awards presentation. I knew she was getting the Doyle Scholarship, and she was honored with that. What happened next is unforgivable, they announces the scholarships for all the seniors in drama. A long introduction to how much these seniors have given, how hard they work to juggle their busy schedules. Then I look an see a tear of pride on my daughters cheek. Begin the announcement of names, continue right past my daughters name and finish up without even mentioning her. Oh my God! How can this happen? I am sitting, my cheeks flaming, my temper boiling just under the surface. I look to my daughter and see even more tears. Only these are not pride, I cannot begin to try to put into words what I saw. So many thoughts are hurling through my mind. The biggest being, I don't understand. How is it that the daughter whose whole life is consumed by the theatre, get overlooked. This is so wrong. It can not be undone. I walk to the stage (yes, while the drama instructor is still on the stage hugging her departing seniors. I make a quick decision to not embarrass my daughter even more by approaching the stage,, but rather wait until the end of the presentation to those seniors and wait for the teacher to exit the stage. I take the seat next to her and tell her with so much pain and anger that I have a daughter in the audience crying, because she was not recognized. How could this happen? She has tried so hard to please and do anything and everything to gain approval by her teacher. I said to the teacher that I don't care if there is a personality conflict, or if you don't have that kind of relationship with my daughter, this is wrong. I get up and walk back to be with my daughter. I felt like I was abandoning her, leaving her there to address something so sensative. I sat without saying a word, what could I say? We applause to the next group of scholarship recipients, without really knowing what they are getting and why.

I love my daughter, she is amazing. I wish somehow I could protect her from all the shit she gets served, and all the praise and recognition she doesn't get. As a parent, I can say you are wonderful. But that's my job, even if I know she's more than just wonderful. When she doesn't get it from the people who should give it to her, how does that feel?

The teacher came to the audience from the rear of the theatre and asked Brandi to come to the hallway. She apologized for forgetting. She said she'd make it up to her. I'm sorry, but I can't forgive you. You hurt my baby girl, do you know how I feel? Do you know what she feels? I can't forgive you. I'll continue to not make a scene, but I won't forgive. I let you show her you're trying to make it right, but I can't forgive you.