Strude

Last week Buddha, 7-years-old, asked if he could audition for A Christmas Carol at the theatre where I am currently performing Secret Garden. He has done a few small roles in children’s theatre. Very small roles where the auditions were pretty much show up and get a part type deals.

This would be different. A “real” audition with call backs and competition. But he wanted to do it, so we of course said yes. He has enjoyed what theatre he has done, and we want to help our kids discover what they enjoy doing and help them do it. But this was also going to provide his first chance at rejection and we wanted to make sure he knew the difference between these auditions and the others he has gone to.

He said he was prepared if he didn’t get called back or didn’t get a part. Well, he was called back. As was I. He wanted me to audition, too. I would really rather have a break, but it would be awesome if we could do a show together.

Again, after callbacks, he said he would be okay if they didn’t call. However, the next day after coming home from school the first words out of his mouth were, “Did they call?” I was and am more nervous for him than I have ever been on any audition for myself.

We still have a day or two before they will call, if they call at all. Did I put my parents through the same thing every time I auditioned for something growing up?

As you know, we loves us some Training Table here in the old Strude household. In the newest version of their menu, they mark what they consider to be the menu favorites with a red oval that contains the letters TTR inside.

My wife and I were wondering why they choose those letters.

“TTR? What is that? The Training R…. TRT would make more sense. TRaining Table.”

“How about The Training Table.”

“That would be TTT?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m tired.”

Now this wasn’t like we were trying to solve world peace or anything, it was just annoying. Like realizing you have a wedgie, but you’re in public and can’t pick it. Then Buddha spoke up. “Mine says it, too. Training Table Restaurants.”

Well, there goes my plans to audition for “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” Apparently I can’t even beat my first grader.

Actually, he has been home for over a week, but I haven’t had time to put an update here. I have been extremely busy as of late with finishing school (for good this time), work, rehearsals, etc.

X came home on Easter night. He progressed so quickly. We feel very blessed. He is doing great. His brother and sisters are very glad to have him home where they can actually see him. They weren’t allowed into the NICU and could only catch glimpses of him through the window.

X was removed from the incubator today. He was able to maintain the proper body temperature on his own. He is progressing in leaps and bounds.

X-man has been taken off oxygen, which is great news. He has lost 1 pound since birth. All babies lose about 10%-15% of their original weight in the first few days.

His doctor is amazed at how well he is doing and is attributing it to the fact that maybe they had his due date wrong. That might be part of it, but I am convinced that it also has a lot to do with all the prayers for him. Our family had definitely felt the power of those prayers and we know X-Man has, too.

X-Man… hmm, gonna have to come up with a better nickname than that.

In unrelated news: Happy Birthday to my sister! I love you and hope you have a great day.