# 4 Brat is having her confirmation in May, and that calls for a big family do. # 4 Brat is not looking forward to it. In fact, what she really wants to do is to call the whole thing off – she hates being the center of attention, and this, right now, is her worst nightmare.
To me, it’s a part of growing up, and in addition to the Christian tradition, that’s what a confirmation is about. So – what to do? I want this to be a memorable occasion for her, in a positive way.
I’ve come up with an idea, and I hope she’ll like it. Instead of the traditional, formal family gathering, we’ll have a barn party… She’s a horse person, she hates dressing up, and she wants to go to church preferably on horseback, but I’m hoping that a horse and carriage will do… By then, our barn will have a roof and walls and everything, so that part will be taken care of. (All the stuff we were going to put in there will have to stay outdoors a bit longer, making the surroundings look like a junk yard for the party, but you can’t have everything…)
A buffet with good food, nicely decorated tables, flowers and budding birches – perhaps some music too, and the setting will be perfect. Add a couple of horses grazing in the background, spring in full swing and a festive crowd, and I’m sure we’ll all have a blast. I could even send out some Kentucky Derby party invitations or something similar, to add to the horsey theme…
If I can get her to accept this as a plan, I might get her to wear a dress. Chaps and riding trousers do very badly in a formal church setting, and that bit I can’t change. Maybe something along the lines of “Annie get your gun” is acceptable. We’ll lose the gun though…
Stumble it!
