Thursday, April 9, 2009
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Thursday, April 9, 2009 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | Photo Gallery |
| Fielder’s Choice Prom stirs memories I had not been to a prom in 30 years. But I was told I had to go to this one, and actually I would not have missed it for anything else – including the Final Four on TV. My daughter Emma is a senior at Marshall Academy. MA’s prom was Saturday night on campus. I was informed awhile back that I “Daddy” would get the first dance of the evening. I had joked for weeks with Emma, telling her I sure hoped it would be disco music. That’s what I grew up listening to and dancing to back in the late ’70s. I still listen to ’70s music all the time on my XM Radio while driving. Music from my high school days will always be my favorite. My 2009 prom experience started about 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Montrose. That’s where the seniors met for group and individual photos. I was still in blue jeans and baseball cap, going directly from mowing the yard. While shooting photos, I quickly realized once again that Daddy’s “little girl” has grown up to be a beautiful young lady. I’m so very proud of her. I then took a break while Pam attended the dinner for the seniors at Kate Freeman Clark Art Gallery. An hour or so later, it was time to ditch the jeans and put on the suit and tie and go to the big event. The gym was beautifully decorated. It was an exciting time for everyone. I didn’t cry when Emma was introduced. But I did reminisce quite a bit in my mind. Where have the past 17 plus years gone? She will turn 18 on June 22. I remembered her birth. I remembered rocking her to sleep. I remembered those first steps and reading books to her in the recliner. I remembered her first day of school in Aberdeen and the later moves to Laurel and Holly Springs. I remembered her baptism – the happiest moment since her birth. I remembered her excellent grades in school. I remembered her soccer games and her leading roles in high school musicals. I remembered the tremendous role she has played in raising her little sister Erin. The first song was a slow one – “The Dance” by Garth Brooks. And I did not even come close to stepping on Emma’s toes. I guess once you’ve got those dance moves, you’ve always got them. That’s what Pam and the kids tell me – jokingly. Emma and I talked as we danced and laughed – sharing some special memories. The best part was when she hugged me and said, “I love you, Daddy.” “I love you, too,” I replied. It was the perfect ending – for me – to my latest prom experience. The parents departed shortly thereafter and left the rest of the night to the juniors and seniors. It was their special night. Graduation is just over a month away. The reminiscing will continue the next few weeks. Last night, Pam was going through old photos, preparing our yearbook ad dedicated to Emma. There was the one of her holding her favorite stuffed animal – Barney. The one of her filling sand pails on the beach. The one of her with her best friends from Aberdeen. Fond memories. Stay tuned for more. |
      
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