Lucy’s Very Last MCO Concert – The Beginning of the “Lasts”

Recently I saw this quote on Instagram that said “In motherhood we are raising the one thing we can’t live without to be able to live without us.” And it hit me. Because I have all the feelings with Lucy graduating soon.

Gosh! I have always thought that because of Lucy’s special needs it would be such a huge celebration when she hits the milestone of graduation and heading out into the big, wide world. I figured the letting-your-kids-go-mourning would be different with her because it would mean she made it! And it is for sure a celebration because of that. I could write for pages and pages about how proud I am of this girl and all her accomplishments. She has worked so, so, so hard.

But even amidst the pride and admiration for the grit and determination of this girl, I still feel like I’m walking the plank into such a huge expanse of unknown. Instead of just Lucy being a “paper boat” I’m sending off to sea like my other kids, I feel like I’m that paper boat in so many ways. I mean, she is my baby after all. And I’ll admit I’m a little lost.

Oh, there are so many unknowns that lie ahead for us. The pathway is still hazy, but this huge step of high school graduation is coming whether we’re ready or not.

And Lucy’s last MCO concert was the beginning of the end. The first of the “lasts.” And I found myself churning inside about it.

But then look at this girl as she was heading out to her dress rehearsal:

I think it’s so appropriate that the clock is hanging on the wall behind her. The symbol of the steady and relentless ticking away of time.

Lucy’s “Messiah in America” Concert Attire

Ok, so I do have to back up and explain why Lucy was wearing that outfit as opposed to the blue formal dress she’s worn to all her other MCO concerts. This time around, in lieu of a “regular” amazing concert, they performed something called “Messiah in America.” It was a depiction from when Christ came to the Americas following his ministry in Jerusalem as told in the Book of Mormon. Specifically the chapters in 3rd Nephi.

Some Scripture Study Preparation

At dinner we pulled out the scriptures the day before concerts began. Lucy had been encouraged to read 3rd Nephi in preparation so she would be able to feel the music and the atmosphere better. Lucy sat so intently listening as I read, and sang along when I read phrases she knew the songs for.

We read for so long that it was sunset time and Lucy cannot miss sunsets. Sunsets and sunrises are sometimes what she seems to base life around! So we went out to our favorite sunset-watching spot and kept reading. I love that she pulled out her phone to keep track of exactly which chapters spoke about which parts.

She will never read that part of the Book of Mormon again without being reminded that it has become part of her heart. Through song and through MCO. It was pretty special.

Lucy’s “Senior Night”

The next night my parents were there, who had come down specifically for this last concert. Lucy had been wistfully wishing for a “senior night” like her friends had had for all their sports, so I tried to make this into her own kind of “senior night” with whipping up her very favorite dinner of all time.

I mean, she has been in this choir for SEVEN years, I felt like she pretty much deserved a senior night.

Of course, it wasn’t filled with banners and her friends like she yearned for, but we did make it special.

The Concert Itself

There were eight concerts, and so much happening on stage that the choir was divided into two. So Lucy had four concerts, two each of her two nights.

We got to go with this crowd on her first night:

It was pretty special and I think she felt pretty loved.

My sister-in-law sent me these pictures of my girl just singing her heart out and I’m so glad.

There is nothing like watching that girl lift her voice up to the heavens (below right) as she sings from her heart with everything she’s got.

Lucy’s Fan Club

I adore my mom’s face in this photo:

Yes, Lucy is flanked on every side by so much love. Sometimes she doesn’t see it. But I hope somehow all this love infuses into her bones and helps her always find her way in life.

The Grandmas and the Grandpas:

The awesome Aunt and the parents:

…one of Josh’s former students was there and he was talking to him so he missed these pics, darn it!

But it was pretty special to be there with this crew. This sea of support from Lucy’s village.

These people as a symbol of the SO MANY who have helped her on this adventure through high school.

Oh she is so loved. And she is going to do the best things in life. And I’m not sure if any of us are ready to wrap it up.

But that night, surrounded by the feeling in that concert and watching that girl do what she loves one last time, was such a special moment for Lucy and also for her not-so-sure-she-can-let-her-leave mama.

I am always so emotional when my kids graduate from high school when I think about the things that have built their character in ways Dave and I couldn’t. And MCO is certainly one of them. She will always carry around that music and all those concerts and practices in her heart. They have changed her in the best ways, and helped her more firmly build her foundation on Jesus.

As I get ready to send off my last child as a “paper boat” off to sea, I’m just so teary-grateful for that.

Some MCO posts:

• “If Ye Lack Wisdom” – A Concert in Palmyra
• Light and Music at MCO
• Angels at Christmastime
• When Grace and Claire were in MCO
• So much more MCO! (it’s been part of our life for so long!)