Thoughts from Dr. Joe:

“Don’t forget the girls have the talent show at Lanterman today,” Kaitzer said. “You didn’t forget, did you?”

I had to think quickly. “Of course I didn’t, Kaitzer”! I swear my nose grew an inch.

Kaitzer had the flu, so I was flying solo. “The show’s only from 3 to 5,” she said. (Yeah, that really means from 2 to 6, I thought to myself.)

“But remember, you have to take Simone to a birthday party and Sabine to pizza.” How did I ever know there’d be a ‘but’?

I felt like screaming but I remembered an old line from boot camp, “They can’t hear you scream from the squad bay (barracks).”

Since Sabine was one of the emcees, we arrived at the auditorium at 2 p.m. (What did I tell ya?) I took a seat in the middle, directly underneath a ceiling light, and broke out my copy of Thomas Aquinas’s “Summa Theologica.” Suddenly Simone, Lydia Tavera and Noir Shahzad ran down the aisle screaming, “Can you help us practice?”

Their act was called, “Zap Zap,” a skit that made absolutely no sense. It had something to do with turning Simone into an M & M. I just didn’t get it and was confused as to why Kaitzer said, “They were absolutely darling.”

After rehearsing with the girls I finally got a chance to sit, broke open my book and then things really went south. The show started and they turned off the lights. I know it’s not always about me, but what would I do for two hours?

Having no alternative, I watched the children, act after act; and as they did their thing I thought of the words of George Bernard Shaw, “Life is not about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself.” By taking a chance on the open stage the children were defining who they were. Building their identity goes hand in hand with risking their identity. Defining one’s self is like building a muscle and without something to push against, it atrophies. The value of a burgeoning identity is that so often it comes with purpose.

The children sang, danced, acted and played their instruments; that took an element of courage. Every advancement they will make will be a result of effort. Often, shyness steals the passion and power that lies within us and prevents us from all that we can be.

Intermission came and so did the ceiling lights, but instead of reading my book I reflected upon a distant memory. When I was in the 6th grade I landed the leading role in the Saint Patrick’s Day play. I was playing an Italian street vendor whose job it was to paint the dividing street line green that ran the length of 5th Avenue in Manhattan. After a few rehearsals, I lost my nerve and decided to return to the stage crew. I learned early that playing it safe is the riskiest choice that we can make.

Years hence, the little actresses, singers, magicians, dancers and musicians will not have to reflect upon similar thoughts.

I guess you can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.

The second half began and in moments the comedy team of Simone, Lydia and Noir would debut. I held my breath, the girls beamed and laughed hysterically through their entire act. Well, maybe laughter’s contagious because the first graders sitting next to me were in stitches.

The show was not about getting ‘A’s, or scoring goals, or winning championships, it was about just being out there, just doing it. So who needs an audience?

The last act brought home the bacon, the first and second graders sang, “Proud to be an American.”

You know — I think all the performers were darling! Directors Denise Gunter and Lilli Rouleau deserve a big shout out: “Great job!”

Here’s one final thought to all my little performers: Never lose your nerve.

JOE PUGLIA is a practicing counselor specializing in students transition to college. He is a professor of education at Glendale Community College and a former officer in the Marines. Reach him at doctorjoe@ymail.com or write him in care of the Valley Sun, P.O. Box 38, La Cañada, CA 91012.