It's Just Stars

It's a new year, which means that it's time to get organized. This year, I'm resolving to back up all those photos from 2007 and clear them off the hard drive.

This proves to be a daunting task, which is why I've been putting it off. It was a big year for us! There was a birth in January, followed by the purchase of a new camera--two occurrences which resulted in lots and lots of photos.

As I spend this cold, rainy, sleeting January day viewing our memories of the past year--and attempting to stay warm--it's a good day to drift back in time and reminisce about a warmer day, say one in September 2007.

DH was preparing to play the flute for the orchestra's outdoor autumn pops concert, Broadway under the Stars, and we were really excited. The kids and grandkids were coming, and the idea of having Little Man and The Fred along for a musical extravaganza made me giddy. It was going to be a beautiful night out under the starry sky. Of course, we were braving the crowds with a 2-year-old in tow, and one never knows what that may bring, but the uncertainty just added to the anticipation. We figured she might run around and dance to the show tunes, as many of the children do.

We had a bunch of family members at our table near the orchestra, and everybody enjoyed our dinner and our socializing. The Fred ran around happily and got plenty of exercise waiting for the concert to begin, and we were showing off both kids to everybody we knew.

Then it was time for the music to start! The orchestra members tuned up, and they were ready to go.

But at the sound of the first note emanating from the huge speakers, The Fred started to howl. She wailed and wailed, and finally Mommadrool had to remove her from the premises. Boo, the other grandmother, joined them, and away they went; initially, they decided to go into the Shakespeare theater. As they passed people in the hall, The Fred tearfully informed them, "My grandpa's playing the flute out there!" She also commented in a comforting tone, "It's just music. It's just Stars."

The Fred didn't return to our table that night, and Mommadrool was consigned to wandering the parking lot and sitting in the car with the little one. I hated that they couldn't join us, but I have to say that the memory of The Fred repeating to herself, "It's just music--it's just Stars" is one that will always bring a smile to my face. And I'm so looking forward to telling, and retelling, this story to The Fred, her future friends, and especially her future boyfriends.