During a recent discussion about an upcoming music competition she and her sister would be attending, our youngest showed off her knack for sarcasm with the following hyperbole: “daddy, it sounds like you’re talking about ‘The Hunger Games’!”

As it so happened, cello teacher of said child happened to be within earshot.

“No, Lila,” she gently corrected her student as she leaned into our conversation. “This is Texas. It is ‘The Hunger Games’!”

Nothing could have filled Tracie and me with greater pride than to learn that Georgia had passed her audition in the Texas Music Educators All-State competition last Saturday. At her age, she’s not eligible for state level competition. But she did participate in the “Region” competition and landed first chair (!!!) for viola for our region’s philharmonic orchestra (second tier in the classification).

Wow, just, wow, this was a big moment in her musical career.

We are so proud of her and it couldn’t come in a more bittersweet moment, not long after the passing of her paternal grandmother.

Georgia is also performing in her first concert with the Houston Youth Symphony Strings Orchestra this Sunday.

The photo above comes from yesterday’s performance with her middle school varsity orchestra at the Houston Christian University music department invitational.

Poo, poo, poo… Tracie and I are so blessed by our family. For me, it’s a genuine dream come true.

Georgia, mommy and I and everyone in our family are so proud of you! We can’t wait to celebrate on Sunday after the performance!