Recently I was invited to the local high school talent show by one of my daughter’s best friends.  The invitation was flattering as the year my daughter appeared in the same show I was told “this isn’t for parents, MOM!” Oh, okay.

  So when aforementioned friend asked me to come, I responded, “Are you sure?  I was told that this show was not a parental thing.”  He snorted, “What does she know?  I want you to be there. I’m going to be in it and you’ll like my song.”

 Since I shipped my daughter off to school this past fall I have missed attending her concerts, musicals etc.  And because I am exceedingly fond of the young man in question (I have given him auxiliary child status-sort of like the First Runner Up at Miss America-he is expected to perform in the event that one of the children of my body is unable or unwilling to fulfill their duties. It’s a win/win as it is good for me because I have a spare and good for him because he has most of the rights of my children without the burden of expectation or responsibility) who was part of her artistic circle last year I have been very willing to take him up on his “come see me” invitations.

 Last night the event rolled around.  It has been a stressful week what with one thing and another, so what better way to kill a couple of hours than to watch a bunch of kids having fun.  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect this being a high school talent show –jugglers?  Unicyclists?  Poor attempts at stand up comedy?   It really doesn’t matter, they are 16-18 year old kids after all and cost of admission was for  the local food bank, so once again, win/win.

  I was unprepared for how much fun this concert would be.  The acts were musical in nature-no lame jokes (but quite a few very good ones), some so-so music but mostly great music and some surprisingly talented performances from kids I had never dreamed had it in them.

  The crowd was amazing.  The auditorium was packed to the gunnels-if they had crammed one more student in I think it would have burst.  Before the recent school budget cuts the school corporation had been able to provide this school with a state of the art surround sound system plus some great rotating spotlights.  So the ambiance was one of a professional concert hall.  No way one could sit among those kids and not want to jump up, dance, clap and move.  I did pass on the mosh pit.  While I am game for almost anything, that, I decided belonged to the under fifty set.

  My young friend was correct, I loved his song.  I have watched him over the course of two years play his parts in musicals, sing in choirs alongside my daughter and knew he had musical ability.  The charisma, energy, electricity, and raw talent that he displayed was astonishing.  My auxiliary kid has got “it” whatever “it” is.  Over the course of the past year he has made some progress in defining what he wants and how he might get there, but he is one who needs to get there as he has so much to offer. I will do what I can to help him, just as I have tried to do what I can to find a path for my children to succeed and grow their talents.  Trying to succeed as an artist is a difficult road.  I figure any little bit of assistance I can render can't be bad.

  As I was waiting in the throng of mostly young people (my daughter was right-it isn’t an event heavily attended by parents- I was approached by a woman with graying hair.  She was obviously moved to speak with me as my own head is thoroughly silver these days. 

  “Boy, aren’t you glad you don’t have to take one of these home with you tonight?” she asked referring to the young hyper and enthusiastic crowd.  “I don’t understand this music,” she added waiting for my agreement.

 “I love the music, I love these kids.” I countered.

 She looked perplexed.  “Yes, but it’s all so loud and I don’t understand any of it.”

  “Then why are you here?” I inquired politely.

Her jaw dropped open.  She walked away.

Yeah, nice chatting with you too. Number one I was somewhat offended that my gray hair singles me out as “old”.  But I suppose I am-maybe-a little.  Well, sort of.  But what really amped up my rudeness was the back handed referral to the kids.   My experience is that this generation of kids is the bomb.  They are politically active (my daughter got the Obama Christmas card-I didn’t and I was the one who gave the money!) Are ecologically, socially aware and genuinely want to do the right thing.  And the best thing yet is that they know music.

  “Was I good?”   My young friend had found me in the throng at last.

 “Oh my God, you were amazing.”

  “Really?”

Really,

  As the last band finished up with “Don’t Stop Believing” I couldn’t help but take out my own cell phone and wave it with the light on.  As one of the MC’s pointed out, cell phones are so much safer than Bic lighters.  Leave it to this generation to figure that out.