What About the Other 99%?

Michael had his first piano recital on Sunday. I was excited to hear him play. He was planning to play Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin and Singin' in the Rain, by someone else. Although I would have been very nervous if in Michael's place, he did not seem nervous at all. In the morning, prior to the recital, I confirmed that he was ready, knew what he needed to do when we got there, had his piano music, etc. He took this opportunity to admit that he was a little nervous. Although to be expected, I was still caught off guard a bit because I had not observed any outward sign of nervousness. I asked him about it. I was relieved when he told me that he really was not that nervous, probably just 1%. Whew. I am that nervous riding in an elevator. No wonder I had not noticed. At the recital, he was the first of 20 children to play. Spencer was clearly more than 1% nervous on Michael's behalf. He buried his head in my lap as Michael started to play. As usual, Michael was more self-possessed than I think an eight-year-old should be. He played both songs very well. Thankfully. This allowed Spencer to lift his head from my lap. Michael bowed (cutely), sat down, then whispered to me that actually he had been more than 1% nervous, more like 7%. Still. That is pretty good.