When the world weeps in unison, I have a tendency to shut down. I turn away from social media and turn off the TV and I focus on that thing that matters. I look for her guidance to find joy in the midst of sorrow. You know what? It always works. ALWAYS. I can always count on Alexis to be belting out a joyful song as she walks through her day.
Today won't be the day that Alexis remembers as tax day or the day that we wept for Boston. She will always and forever remember it as the day that a dream was born. She has spent the past every minute of her life looking forward to today. If you think I'm exaggerating, I can assure you I'm not. Today, the day that Alexis first signed up to be a real cheerleader, was the day she has focused all of her energy on for a very long time.
Ever since the sign up sheet showed up in my email, she has been pinching pennies and looking for ways to help pay the registration fee. It's unbelievably expensive, but she wanted it so very much. She carefully selected the least expensive snack options at the grocery store. She emptied the dishwasher. She didn't ask for a single thing at the store multiple times. She saved and she saved and she even did a little project that I'll show you later, all in hopes of saving up enough money.
She didn't manage to save enough, but I spotted her the difference. Because I could. I can live without Starbucks for a few months because these words ... these words actually came out of her mouth.
"This is going to be a lifetime experience. I've always wanted to be a real cheerleader."
She may end up hating it. She may end up thinking it's the dumbest thing ever. She may even look back and make fun of herself for putting so much importance on something so silly. It doesn't matter, though, because for today, it was everything.
It was her everything.
