We were enjoying my son’s first school Christmas concert. For one of the songs, a girl got up to sing in accompaniment with the jazz band. The two adults sitting directly in front of us began laughing at this girl who was singing on stage. They didn’t chuckle at one bad note—though that’s not acceptable either, but they snickered and carried on like elementary students during her entire performance!! What a disheartening sight!!! It was a difficult song, and the girl had an amazingly strong voice, but you could hear the nervousness in her voice! These two old-enoughs-to-know-better were embarrassingly distracting.

Their behavior was shameful, and I almost spoke up to them.

Listen, they need to grow up! They’re not little children who are still realizing their actions have a huge impact on others. They’re adults – most likely even parents – who are to be the inspiration and motivation these kids need. Where’s the encouragement and support?

How would they feel if it was their daughter who was performing and her nerves were overpowering her? How would they feel if someone around them was jeering their daughter? What if we were this girl’s family!?

And what a horrible example to my boys who were sitting with me! They have been learning that their actions influence others only to see these two childish adults disgrace a courageous girl. I pray their disconcerting behavior went unnoticed by my boys!

How would these two adults feel being in this girl’s shoes? What if they tried stepping up in courage only to be “laughed off stage”? Perhaps it’s not a big deal to some—though I really hope it is! —but I was very upset by this!

Why do I feel so strongly, you ask? Because I was that girl!!! In my past, it took all the courage within me to get up on stage (and I still have extreme anxiety). Not once but at least twice, I made a complete fool of myself. Messing up beyond repair. I’m not sure that anyone laughed in my situation; however, it was humiliating. The first time I walked off with tears flowing as I vowed to never do it again. The second time, I at least finished the song, but not dry-eyed.

If it were not for the support and encouragement of those around me in both situations, I may never have tried again.