Amazing!!

There is a saying, "Everything happens for a reason." 

I believe that Madeleine Kate Beacham happened in this world to remind us of the true meanings of kindness and love.  And last night, I couldn't help myself, but to smile as I watched my beautiful daughter sing her heart out to her talent choice, "Welcome to New York" by Taylor Swift. 

When we got home last night, she asked me, "Mom, am I still Miss Amazing?"  I told her she is and will always be Miss Amazing. I cannot help but sob when I think of the ways that my Maddie has defied so many odds in her short little life--and yet she remains so happy and so authentically kind and full of love.  It has been an exhausting 16 years to navigate Maddie's health concerns.  But the flip side of having Maddie in my life is that I have the gift, the joy, the grace of continually being in the presence of a being who is pure and will always possess a purity that most of us merely try to emulate, but fall short of due to our humanity.

I am so grateful to be able to associate with people like Rebecca Ford, and her amazing entourage--volunteers, student escorts and so many more that make Tooele's Mr. & Miss Amazing Pageant happen every year now for five years!! 

If you missed the pageant last night, you missed stories of unbelievable triumph over life threatening health issues; and you sure did miss multiple, truly heart melting moments and pee your pants laughter—There simply was not a dull moment because these contestants are FUNNY and REAL and they are each AMAZING—as are the mommas, dads and other caregivers who continue to care for and love them!! 

At the end of the evening, joyful tears filled my eyes as I watched how my sweet Maddie genuinely wanted to hug every contestant she crowned and handed a staff to.  She has so much love!  She handed over her throne gracefully as she carefully crowned the new Miss Amazing 2015, Amber Bailey.  Maddie's Mr. Amazing 2014, Joshua Curtis, whose incredible talent was playing the bass crowned Travis Graves as this years' Mr. Amazing. For their talents, Amber did a dance and Travis sang.  Congratulations Amber and Travis!!!

This pageant is truly one of the beautiful, heart-melting, inspiring and amazing experiences in my life.  I am grateful to witness the simplicity and unpretentiousness of such amazing souls who are in it.  I wish to cheer on and thank the stewards of these beautiful souls--the mommas, dads, and caregivers who choose to protect, care for, advocate for, and see to the safe, healthy, happy passage these amazing souls deserve.  It is not a job for the faint of heart.  It is a job I feel inspired to write about.

Here are a few pics from last night. Enjoy….

Mr. & Miss Amazing 2014:
Joshua Curtis and
Madeleine Kate Beacham

Maddie singing "Welcome To New York"
by Taylor Swift

Mr & Miss Amazing 2014 & 2015

Mr. & Miss Amazing 2015:
Travis Graves & Amber Bailey

Isn't She Lovely?!

On April 10, 2014, Madeleine Kate Beacham

was crowned Miss Amazing.  

(click link above to see Fox TV news report.)

Truth be told, she's always been amazing.  Tonight though, at 14, she was particularly lovely and shined like no star you've ever seen before.  I couldn't be more proud of this little girl.  I am humbled by what an incredibly loving, forgiving, and tender little being she is.  She is and will always be my little Maddie K.   Tonight, however, I smiled (beamed actually), giggled, and wept at how she emerged with the wonderful beauty of a radiant young woman.

As the evening commenced, she rode in as "Jessie" from Toy Story, as each of the contestants were to dress up for the 'Famous Wear' competition.  Her on-stage question was, "If you had one million dollars, what would you buy and why?"  Her answer was purely, "I'd buy 'Frozen'."  She loves Olaf and Elsa and anything  "Frozen."   

For her talent, she performed as the Little Mermaid, Ariel, singing "Part Of Your World." And  rather than just lip syncing or singing along with the track, Maddie stood out by singing on her own, pitch perfectly, may I add!! (Yes, I am a puffed up proud little mama!)

For evening wear, Maddie donned a soft pink evening gown, white satin gauntlets, a pink organza shawl, pink sapphire and rhinestone earrings and necklace, and completed her ensemble with a pink flower in her light brown hair.  She was elegant!  My little girl was somehow growing into a young lady.  When did this happen??

Yet my heart felt an interesting twinge of aching confusion, as I watched her little feet peek out from underneath her bell-bottomed skirt.  She wore bright patent pink slip-ons and little white anklets with lacey trim--Not the heels of a woman, but little shoes of a little girl, still.  It was a moment of of recognition about a truth for Maddie--while part of her was evidently growing into a young woman, part of her will remain always as a child.   It was a bittersweet moment for me.

At intermission, Fox TV came to do a news story on the fourth annual "Mr. and Miss Amazing Pageant" created and produced by Mrs. Ford, Tooele High School's special education teacher, who happens to be amazing in her own right!  It was so delightful to watch my animated Maddie smile and talk so easily with the reporter.

As they began to announce the winners, and each contestant received an award, I watched my Maddie happily clap and cheer on each one.  She truly personifies kindness.  My heart raced and thumped harder as finally one contestant was yet to be named--my very own Madeleine Kate Beacham.  I screamed and squealed with exhilarating delight as Mrs. Ford announced her Miss Amazing 2014.   But what was even more breathtaking about that moment is the fact that my wonderful little girl didn't even realize she had received the accolade.  Her escort, Danny Anderson, had to lean down to her and tell her she won and to go let them crown her.  It was pure.  I felt joy.  I felt so happy for my daughter--because of my daughter.  This was her moment. And it was her victory!

Afterwards, Maddie was swarmed with friends and all sorts of adoring fans--each congratulating her.  She just beamed!  I stood in the background, watching her and just let it all soak in.  I adored her and all the love that surrounded her.  It was magical!

When it was time to finally leave, I helped her into our car.  I asked her, "Well Queenie, what would you like to do to celebrate?"  Simply, her answer was, "Can we go to McDonalds for a Happy Meal?"  I laughed and said yes.  As we drove, I could tell she was tired.  I asked her if she wanted to get it to go.  She said yes.

So, at home, Miss Amazing celebrated in her dress and jewels with a cheesebuger, french fries and a root beer.  As she dipped fries in her fry sauce, my sleepy girl yawned.  Bedtime was on the horizon.  Oh, what a night!  Oh what a simply amazing night!
   

Purity

I had a fabulous opportunity last week that I would love to share with you:   

 My little Maddie dances on a special needs performance team.  Last week her dance group performed at the annual Mr. and Mrs. Amazing pageant held at Tooele High School. It truly is a euphoric experience to listen to the audience go wild when her team is announced and begins to dance!  It made me remember the first time I ever watched her perform on stage:

Years ago, when we used to live in Kamas, I took Maddie weekly to Virginia Tanner Dance Company in Salt Lake City.  It was the end of the company’s dance year and they were presenting their finale performance.  It was held at Kingsbury Hall.  I was so nervous. I remember sitting in the audience next to my mom as the music started.  The number was choreographed so that each special needs performer danced from backstage onto the floor with another dancer in the company.  I anxiously watched front stage right, where I knew Maddie would enter. 

It was crazy when I saw her dance from behind that curtain onto the stage.  I didn’t mean to; but I sputtered. Had I not already been holding my breath, I’m sure I would have gasped—it just happened to be the sound associated with the direction of my breath.  I clapped my hand to my mouth to prevent anymore audible distractions from my daughter’s debut performance.  I began to tremble. Tears filled my eyes and spilled down onto my cheeks.  My mom squeezed my leg and looked at me, as if to ask if I was going to be okay.  I shook my head, smiling, shocked at the force of my emotions. Through my tears, I watched my sweet little girl surprise me with her grace and presence in her tie-die costume, barefoot on the stage, twirling and smiling and wiggling her bum, causing the audience to erupt in laughter.  I couldn’t remember when I’d ever been more grateful and moved.

Have you ever been in a crowd of people that erupted in cheers so forcefully you tingled with chills from the crown of your head, down your spine, all the way to your core? And because of the intensity you felt, you recognized you were in the presence of something so profound and honorable?  That is what I knew when the music stopped, and I saw my daughter and her fellow dancers on stage beaming in triumph, and I listened to the audience roar their tribute to the purity we were just blessed to witness.  

Now, every time I watch her dance, I remember that moment.  It is easy to be transported back to that feeling because wherever and whenever she and her dance team members perform, they are welcomed by audiences with such overwhelming emotion.  Their performances always rock the house because they are a reminder of the pure, unpretentious expression of joy.  And now that she is a teenager, it is so fun for me to watch her personality blossom and to see a side of her that is timid and nervous before and after a performance.  I am both proud and grateful!!

I want to thank Susan Trujillo, owner of Jazz-In-It! who provides free dance lessons for special needs populations in all of Tooele County.  You are a hero.  Thank you for your dedication to these dancers and to the art of dance!

 

If you have or know of a family that has a special needs family member that would enjoy social interaction, exercise and being a "Firecracker" (as is the name of their team), call Susan at 435-882-5496. Lessons are free and held every Tuesday from 5:00-5:45pm.

Way to go "Firecrackers!!"  You light up my life. :-)