Justis and Madalynn stood on stage for their first church Christmas musical practice tonight as Miss Danielle and Mr. Mark enthusiastically told them all about their big scene.
Choreography to the song "Frosty the Snowman" was their opportunity to shine, and all the kids eagerly listened while Miss Danielle blocked out the scene.
"And then," Miss Danielle said, with a dramatic pause and big eyes, "Frosty is going to come out in a BIG costume and you'll get to dance with him!" She went on about how much fun it was going to be.
Dawson, Jillian and I were part of the small crowd there watching the rehearsal.
Face pale, Justis suddenly looked panicked. Danielle was still talking, and Justis slid to the back of the crowd and put his head down.
Danielle noticed Justis hanging back and tried to gently coax him back into the dance formation.
"Justis, don't you want to come practice dancing so you can dance with Frosty when he comes?"
Puckering his lips and trying to hold it back, Justis finally burst out in tears.
Danielle is such a compassionate woman, and I am so thankful for the graceful way she handled the situation. She picked Justis up, cradling him in her arms and quietly whispered in his ear as I stood to come up and get him.
"I'm so sorry, she said, I didn't mean to push him."
I quietly explained that Justis was terrified of people in large costumes.
An expression of horror revealed his uneasiness as he sat down beside me looking back and forth and behind him to make sure "Frosty" would not surprise him with his guard down.
"Justis, It's okay, honey. Frosty is not coming tonight. He's not coming at all tonight. You just relax. You don't have to do the program, and you don't even have to watch when Madalynn performs it."
"Okay," he said, looking relieved as he sunk slowly back in the chair to watch.
Justis was out of his seat dancing with the music by the end of the practice.
"Do you think you might want to do the program now, Justis?" I asked
"NO!" he said firmly.
We left it at that.
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