Dear reader, on the way to Caroline's cello recital last night she expressed anxiety over the notion of public performance and the fear of making a mistake in front of a whole bunch of people.
This is a big deal for Caroline. She takes public failure very seriously. I listened and made encouraging comments when it was possible to get a word in edgewise.
She slumped. She sighed. She informed me this reason alone might account for her impending decision to quit the cello altogether.
I told her that wasn't going to happen. But I said it with great empathy.
Several moments before it was her turn to perform, however, she leaned over to me and whispered, "Mum, I'm sooo excited! I am going to make this magical!"
And I do believe she did.
On the way home that evening, Caroline was in high spirits. She loved her cello! She wanted to be a great cellist when she grew up. Also, a volleyball star. Would Daddy be at home to help her with hitting practice? She was starving. Did we have anything healthy to eat? Because volleyball stars only eat healthy stuff. She loved Breakfast at Tiffany's, but not as much as Pride and Prejudice. Nothing was as good as Pride and Prejudice.
There was a brief pause in the chatter.
"Do you remember how nervous I was before my performance?," she asked, as if that was ages ago.
"Yes!," I exclaimed, "what do you think happened?"
"Oh, I don't know," she said in breezy, dismissive tones, "I just got some confidence, I guess."
Apparently, Caroline has a vast reserve of it somewhere which is available on demand.