Show them all the beauty the possess inside

Can I explain the feelings running through me as I watched my daughter stand on the podium tonight and pass a vote of thanks alongside her co-Captain?

The nerves as we sat through the initial speeches, the songs, the music, the prize giving. The pride as I watched her receive her prize as Head Girl from the Head. The realisation as she handed over her Captain's badge to the next Captain, that this time in her life has passed. The tension as she and Grant climbed the podium to give their vote of thanks.

I dare not look at anyone but her. I listened to their words, and watched her and wondered where this beautiful, confident, and assured girl had come from. In her speech she alluded to six years of fun - and I completely admired her for saying that, because I know the first three years were hell, but her saying that will give confidence to younger girls coming up wondering if they too will be that Head Girl in the future.

I heard them both include the parts of their speeches which they had been told to remove, and smiled to myself as I watched the editor glance over realising they had ignored her instruction.

As I realised Tooli was summing up, a wave of emotion came over me. My baby was saying thank you and good bye to the school on behalf of everyone, and the tears welled up as the pride in my daughter filled my heart and overflowed.

Boy ruffled my head and said "She did great".




Edit: (Si was there too.....it was just impossible for me to look at him, because I knew he would be welling up too ..... and Tooli confirmed that when she said "I was okay til I looked over at Dad and seen him filling up, and I had to look away til I composed myself again :-) What a bunch of soppy gits we are)