I love performing any chance I have, but a close second is watching or hearing about those who I have taught juggling being successful in their own performances.  When our daughter, Naomi, won the Bridgton teen talent show last summer, when our oldest,Jo juggled in front of Angkor Wat for a group of street children, when former students have juggled at resorts, in operas, for inner city school children or on the mission field, I have always felt a great sense of pride... and I usually wish it was me.

So, when the Bridgton Festival of Lights Parade was approaching, I invited two current students - Erik and Seth, both monster diabolo spinners - to join me.  This way it would be the best of both worlds as it were.  Until the night before the parade...  I was up most of the night with a stomach bug, and by morning I was exhausted.

The day of the parade I was also scheduled to go to basketball practice with our 11 year, Rose.  I am the team's assistant coach.  I knew I would be fortunate to make it through one of these two commitments, and there was never a doubt in my mind that it would be going to Rose's practice.  (She actually thanked me for making that choice, which showed some newfound maturity and sensitivity on her part.)  When practice was over, I was exhausted, and knew the parade was not an option.

I contacted Erik and Seth and they both wanted to do the parade anyway, so these two 14 year olds diaboloed without me in the annual parade, and they were well received.  I am very proud that they would keep this commitment even though the'responsible adult' cancelled on them, and I was very pleased with the feedback on their performance... but I wished I could have been there with them.