Survived Another Year

Well we survived another year of pageant activity. It all came to a close on August 14th. As I watched my daughter on stage I began to realize just how emotionally invested I was in her and this competition.

As mom, I just really wanted her to have fun and do her best. As a pageant mom, in my eyes she was one of the best on that stage and I was disappointed that she didn't make top five (my heart broke for her as they called that final name, a girl with the same first name as my daughter, but not my daughter) the judges must have missed something. Doesn't visibly saying "thank you" the escort that helped her down the stairs count extra?

OK, back to just a regular mom. I am so proud of her. Even though she didn't make top 5 she maintained her grace and poise. She was genuinely happy for the girls who did make top 5, and one of her best friends came in second. The girls are so kind and sisterly with each other. I give credit for this warm and friendly atmosphere to the director Autumn Short and her assistant director Missy Scrivner. It is because of these ladies that I find myself recommending the International Pageant to every mom I meet that has a teenage daughter.

As frantic and hectic as it all feels sometimes, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Good thing too, because it's almost parade season!