High School Applications

One morning last week after getting the kids off to school, I took mydaughter's completed high school applications to the two private schools she'sconsidering for next year. Naturally, one is her first choice and the other isa back-up. She had to write an essay for each, describing why she wanted tostart her freshman year in their hallowed halls. She wrote beautiful essays –if I do say so myself – and I believe she'd be an excellent candidate foreither school.
But she might end up with a rejection letter. Or two.
My heart breaks a little at the possibility. I've had almostfifty years to build up a hide that's tough enough to deal with rejection. I'vegotten turned down for jobs and for schools. I've auditioned for rock bandsthat didn't hire me. Heck, for the last few years I've called myself a writer.If that doesn't teach you about rejection, nothing will. I know that when ithappens, I'm going to feel sad for a couple minutes or a couple hours or acouple days, and then life will go on.
My daughter turns fourteen in just about a month. She'splayed for no-cut sports teams and sung with audition-free choirs. Other thanthe bumps and bruises that go along with being a middle school girl, she has very little experience with getting turneddown for something she really wants. I just hope she doesn't have to learn thislesson till she's a little older.
I might be more nervous than she is, because I KNOW whatdisappointment feels like. It sucks, but it makes you stronger. She should hearfrom both schools about the same time as her birthday. We've got a back-up tothe back-up plan if the worst happens, but at her party I want to hear anexcited bunch of girls talking about how they all got into the schoolsthey wanted, my daughter included. And if you've got a minute, send somepositive energy our way.Peace,Liv