Buckleys

The 6th Annual Betty Lynn Buckley awards were held Monday night at Casa Manana. Michael and his kids were nominated for a School record NINE awards for "Children of Eden," including two nominations for Best Actor, a nomination for Best Actress, and a nomination for Best Musical. The evening started out with a bang....first award of the night was a Technical award : set design. Boom, Oakridge takes it! And so the night went, Oakridge cleaned up on the technical awards they were nominated for. Their performance of "Let There Be," the opening song of the show was amazing. They were dead on. It looked beautiful. They sounded amazing. It couldn't have gone better. The other shows were just silly in comparison. In fact, I only enjoyed one other performance and that was from "Big River" at North Crowley. The one we were all waiting for : Best Musical. And it was a tie!! Can you believe it? "Children of Eden" and "Big River!" The kids were thrilled, the parents were thrilled, we were thrilled, the administration present were thrilled. It was a great night!! I'm trying to locate the pictures of the event and when I do, I'll add them.

I have never been so proud of Michael. He did an amazing thing with those kids. He taught them things, he showed them things, he led them to experiences they may never have again. He wasn't here more than he was here. He was exhausted for months on end. He worked his tail off for no extra money. He and his kids had an amazing show, and the nominations echoed that. The win for Best Musical was bittersweet because it was shared. But, it's still a win. And for me, the times I spent missing him deeply, and wishing he was here and not up at School were almost worth it when that win was announced. I say almost, because no wife wants her husband gone so much, spending so much time with people who aren't their family. But the looks on those kids' faces when they all won was priceless, and it made me feel so proud. Congratulations, honey! I love you and we're all so proud of you and your accomplishments!!