Her Month To Shine

"She would rather light candles than curse the darkness and her glow has warmed the world." -Adlai Stevenson

November seemed to be Sabrina's month to shine. She started with the Suzuki Grand Concert right off the bat, and went right into rehearsals for Select Orchestra. Sabrina was one of a handful of students picked from her junior high to participate in a Davis School District Select Orchestra. 

What a treat for her to join with other serious musicians from all over the county and play repertoire that challenged her. She now has a whole new list of favorite music that apparently I must purchase from iTunes, Bacchanale from Sampson and Delilah by Saint-Saens being at the top of the list.

Just a week after that, it was time for her violin recital with Cathy's studio. Sabrina has been living to finally be able to play Dvorak's Humoresque, and to be allowed to play it for her recital was a privilege for which she was very grateful.

 Every good performance requires a last minute bathroom rehearsal.

 The bathroom rehearsal paid off as Sabrina blew away the audience with her artistically masterful version of Humoresque. You could almost hear the violin laughing as her bow danced across the strings. That girl knows how to feel the music and make the audience feel it as well. Without fail, I am approached by at least one parent after each concert telling me how much they love to watch Sabrina play. I guess I'm not the only one.

I love that I caught a shot of that beautiful shift!

Sunday marked the day Sabrina had been waiting for all month. Her birthday celebration at last! Everyone has to wait a year for their birthday, but when your birthday falls at the end of November, it feels like you have to wait longer than anyone else. Her actual birthday is on the 27th, but she chose to celebrate it early since it always falls right on top of Thanksgiving.

She received a whole range of lovely gifts. This monkey t-shirt screamed Sabrina, so Jess had to buy it for her.

And this sweatshirt has been on Sabrina's wish list for months. The girl loves herself some Olan Rogers. She wore it yesterday. Yes, it was a Monday, the only connection that most of her peers made. 

She's been wanting to read Little Women for some time. I surprised her with a pocket collector's book of some of Abraham Lincoln's writings. She's obsessed with the Gettysburg Address and has been carrying a copy of it around in her pocket since last week, in hopes that she'll be able to memorize it. Abraham Lincoln is her favorite president, and I can't help but agree with her. So now she can carry his genius writings around with her.

Jessica nailed yet another darling customized birthday cake. A Sherlock Holmes cake per Sabrina's request. No, she hasn't watched a single episode of the TV series. She's a purist. If you're wondering which of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's mysteries to read first, just ask Sabrina. She's read them all.

 I think it was a good birthday, despite being displaced on her 15th birthday. 

I'm glad Sabrina got a chance to shine this month! She has so many gifts to share with the world. I can't continue to keep her all to myself, though I try.