I suppose it’s apropos that we are in the midst of a tropical storm during this week. For the pageant mom, even in the best of circumstances, the week of Miss Mississippi is non-stop and stressful; for this mom, this week is downright unreal.

As I write today’s entry, my husband is driving and we are on the road to my beloved grandmother’s funeral. It is the rarest of instances in which my daughter is actually allowed to be with our family. I must say, the powers that be in the Miss Mississippi organization have been more than gracious to allow her the afternoon off from pageant duties.

I have marveled as she has smiled through her grief and not once let on that anything was wrong. She knows, as do all of the contestants that they are like Disney princesses in the eyes of the little girls who flock to the parade and autograph parties.

So far, the contestants have participated in an appearance at Ameristar, contestant check-in and devotion, rehearsals, one-on-one interviews, a parade, two autograph parties, and the first night of preliminaries. For those keeping count, that’s eight outfits or dresses…so far!

A few of those included personalized T-shirts that had to be made.

Thankfully, we have many friends who have allowed my daughter to borrow beautiful dresses for these appearances.

I know the perception is that a family has to be wealthy to participate in Miss Mississippi, but nothing could be further from the truth. So many people are generous and happy to open their closets. This has been a great help in our preparation. The Lord has provided every step of the way.

My husband often quips that we are “trying to win a scholarship, right?”

“Yes, dear, but we won’t win it in a flour sack.”

My reflection today has brought me to this conclusion in our Miss Mississippi journey: Even in the storms, literal and metaphorical, God uses wonderful people to reach out to us in the toughest of situations.

My daughter, unfortunately, is not the only contestant to have to miss part of the pageant for a funeral; but the Miss Mississippi organization has provided time for these girls to be with their families as needed. Their fellow contestants have prayed for them and reached out with encouraging words.

I suppose that even if Tropical Storm Cindy wreaks havoc with their hair, she cannot dampen the spirits of these girls as they lift one another up.

Kristy Brumfield is the mother of Colby Brumfield, who is competing in the Miss Mississippi Pageant. Colby is the reigning Miss Warren County. Kristy has been associated with the pageant over the years, but this marks her first year as a “pageant mom.”