Day of Grace

That girl, in the foreground? In the black and green dress with the green ribbon sash? That, my friends, is the most beautiful girl in the world. My daughter, Beth.

This Proud Mommy Moment is brought to you courtesy of a little annual school shindig called Hanging of the Green. She and the other well-dressed kids are waiting to perform their green-hanging duties, which consist of choirs and bands and cute boys in ties holding said greens escorting gorgeously gowned girls carrying candles. It's a very pretty little ceremony, and participation only comes through fierce competition.

Essays. Usually the bane of any kid's life, this essay posed a (gasp!) interesting question: If you could declare another national holiday, what would it be? Beth's idea- The Day of Grace.

On that day, you could talk to, have lunch with, or hang with anyone you wanted to without fear of reprisals from your usual peer group. A goth could talk to a preppy. A geek could hang with a jock. A rich kid could laugh with a poor one. Anyone, from any race, religion, class, or social status could make friends from a different clique without losing the ones they already had.

A beautiful idea from a beautiful girl. Honestly, sometimes I just have to pick my jaw up off the floor as I ponder the fact that I actually gave birth to this amazing kid. To pick up on the frustration of Junior High social structure is easy.

You belong in Slot A. Do not go to Slot B, or your former Slot A friends will shun you. And don't even consider Slot C. They will not accept you without a lengthy application process.

But to come up with such an intelligent, innovative solution? That takes a big brain and a big heart.

That's my girl.