It’s almost Christmas and seeing how I’m the father of two elementary age children I’ve recently had the privilege of attending a Christmas concert. It was quite an event, but I must admit that I was distracted by the entertainment provided by the proud on looking parents.

During the performances it was like watching a prairie dog town of the bald, bouffant, bobbed, and braided. Every few seconds one would pop out of their folding chair, camera in hand, snap a quick shot and retreat before permanently irritating anyone behind them.

It resembled a Catholic Church service with a bunch of those “holiday Catholics” standing and sitting at the wrong time, minus the kneeling of course. Although did see a guy fall to one knee after his leg buckled from an acute case of paparazzitis, but that doesn’t count.

Some parents opted to remain seated and just hold their video camera up above the crowd, their arm wavering under the strain and the person next to them wavering from the stench of failed deodorant.

I usually stand up next to the wall so I can see better and also to allow someone who needs a chair worse than me a place to park it. Some lady had the same idea and decided to stand right in front of me. Apparently believing that me seeing my child wasn’t as important as her seeing hers. Not wanting to cause a scene I opted to quietly bludgeon her with a poinsettia. Actually I just stood reeeaaally close to her until she became uncomfortable and moved.

They always save the new editions for last. There was an instant increase in gymnasium murmuring and folding chair squeaking as parents jockeyed for position to get a glimpse of the 2006 models making their elementary school Christmas concert debut. Yes the kindergarteners.

They came through the crowd like awkward movie stars with jack-o-lantern smiles and remnants of the mornings ‘special’ hairdo in tact as they nervously searched the thrones of gawkers for a familiar face. When their smiles and eyes got instantly enlarged, and their little hand shot up in a quick wave you new they had found who they were looking for.

My children aren’t in kindergarten anymore but they still search the crowd when they settle into their place on the risers looking for familiar faces. When our eyes meet their smiles and eye’s still light up, and I still get the little wave.

As the years pass I may not be able to recall what they sang or played, but I’ll always remember the little wave and smile meant just for me.

Merry Christmas to you all. May your holiday’s and the New Year be filled with love, laughter, and little waves.