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Christina M. Currie

Christina M. Currie's Touch of Spice column appears Fridays in the Craig Daily Press. E-mail her at director@craig-chamber.com

Being in the audience of an elementary school production is painful.

Hey! I'm just saying what you're thinking.

Twenty-eight minutes of torture and two minutes of thinking you'd be really proud of your own child's performance if you could just see it.

Like a poker to the brain.

Alright, so it's not quite that bad. There's always the kid who picks his nose throughout the play. That's always amusing.

Then there's the girl who looks terrified. You feel bad for her.

And of course, there's always the ham - that boy with a broad smile and a loud voice who loves the attention and is going to throw a little bit of the unexpected.

Teachers fear him, but I have to say, that kid always makes the performance something to talk about.

OK. I'm being a bit harsh.

Those events are something I wouldn't miss for the world.

And wouldn't be allowed to if I wanted.

Eight-year-old Katie can't remember where she put one shoe before she takes off the other, but for two straight weeks, she reminded me that she'd have a performance March 10.

There was no way I was gonna miss that.

She gave nothing away, which is odd. She didn't practice any of the songs in the car or even hum without thinking about it.

It was going to be a surprise.

My favorite part of the entire production was when she walked onto the risers with her class and her eyes rake across the audience looking for me. Her first few passes missed, and you could see the disappointment on her face.

Then : connected.

That smile. Wow. That's what it's all about.

"What was your favorite part, Mom?" Katie asked later that night.

"Your part, of course."

Of course.

"Really?"

"Really."

Katie has decided she wants to be a music teacher when she grows up.

I'm proud. I love that she has a goal.

I'm also a bit scared.

Does that mean I'm in for a lifetime of elementary school performances in support of my daughter?

If it comes to fruition, I guess the answer is yes.

There's no such thing as too painful when it comes to doing something meaningful for your children.

A crowded room, seats far from the stage.

All worth it for that one smile.