The Dance is Done

What a a Fantastic Friday! Unfortunately, the weather here is a little gloomy, but my mood isn't. This is always a crazy busy time for us, with dance rehearsals, recitals, graduation, end of school activities, you know the bit. We never seem to slow down until the middle of June, and it always seems so great when it arrives. I try to pretend that I hate this busy month, but secretly I love it. Why? Probably, because it revolves around my two girls.

Tomorrow is Mabrees dance recital. Its always exciting and crazy. Mabree is good at everything she does, including dance. I'm not just saying that because she's my daughter. God has truly blessed her with a number of talents. It amazes me how quickly she can learn a routine. Mabree has decided that this is her last year of dance. We left the decision up to her whether she would continue to dance or pursue sports. She chose sports after finishing up this season. Its bittersweet to me. I've watched her every year advance to harder classes with no hesitance. Shes done it for so long, I was really surprised at her choice, but not disappointed. I've always taught her not to be afraid to try new things. I think thats how you grow.

Nine years ago, she was so tiny going into class for her first time. Just 3 years old at the time, her little pink leotard and tights were so cute....of course we took a gazillion pictures of her. I had so frantically made sure she had a cute dance bag, a few dance outfits, shoes. I didnt know if she would enjoy it or if it would be a fight every week to get her there. The first night, I was a little nervous not knowing what her reaction would be, but we opened the door and in she went. No hesitation, no clinging to mommys hand, no goodbye....We watched through the windows, I expected a nervous, shy, crying child to be looking back for me, but nothing. She was focused on her teacher and the mirror. I have to admit that I was kinda disappointed that she didnt search for me, but I was too excited watching her, that my disappointment soon faded.

Each week, we stood proudly watching her through the windows. She was learning the routine so quickly. In December, they were to ride in the Christmas parade. It was quite chilly, so we dressed her in warm clothes and mittens. As she passed by the crowd, she waved so sweetly to everyone. She was beaming with happiness, and so were we.

In May, dance recital time comes around. It usually falls on or around Mabrees birthday. This year will be her last. Yesterday as I drove her to rehearsal, she couldnt stop talking about it. I cant believe this is my last year she would say. I would reply back that it was still her choice and that we would support whatever decision she made. She just shook her head. She continued talking about how she was going to miss her dance friends, she had known them for so long, and wanted to come visit and maybe see next years recital. I just sat listening. I had no idea that she was taking it this hard. It was very difficult to listen to her, because I was in awe that she was expressing herself to me. Even as we sat down to eat dinner with my mom, before rehearsals started, she brought it up to her. Talking up a storm. I think even my mom was a little taken back by her conversation. Mabree never talks this much, maybe she feels overshadowed by her little sister, or maybe she just needed to express how much of a loss this really was in her life.

I never in a million years would have guessed that she would quit dance. I thought we would be doing this for the rest of her teenage years. But I am so proud that she has chosen to try something new, and confidently, not hesitantly. Mabree will probably struggle a little bit when dance season starts again in the fall, and whatever she chooses, we will stand behind her in support. It seems like such a small decision as an adult, but in her eyes, this is life changing. The thing thats shes done every week since she was 3, will be a thing of the past.