Tiny Dancer

Our tiny dancer had her end of year recital this weekend. I have gushed on this blog before about The Shoreline Dance Academy and all who run it. The obvious passion the staff has for their art comes through in everything they do. And the love they have for our kids is so palpable you can almost feel it. The Girl and I both have enjoyed every minute we have spent in that Ocean Grove studio.
It should come as no surprise then that the final recital was an event to remember. The theme, the Dream Starts Here could not have been more fitting for daughter or mother. My Girl is dancing and performing on stage and loving every minute of it. And, dare I say it, she is pretty darn good. This is something, that if I’m admitting my short-comings, I have wanted for my daughter since the minute she made her appearance here on earth. I wanted her to dance and perform and be girly-all the things I did not and was not.

I have watched her routine for weeks now and every week I come away worried that she races through it and always seems a little nervous and awkward. One week she even talked through the entire thing-apologizing for messing up this or that. She has never been one to shy away from attention, but when given a specific task or routine, she often nerves herself right out of doing a good job. I recognize myself in that and I hope she doesn’t quit on herself too soon. She has said she doesn’t want to take dance anymore after this. That makes me sad because it is heartbreaking to watch your kid repeat your mistakes.
I have said almost nothing though. This is not my life and so far she seems oblivious to there being anything wrong and except for a few complaints that her jumps were too “short” she didn’t seem to think she was having any trouble at all. I had one week where I mentioned maybe she should take her time and not rush so much through the movements, but that is all I said. Since the name of the game at this point is loving dance, I just let it all go. What do I know anyway? As long as she is happy right now-who cares if she’s good?
I have never been to a dance recital. She had end of the year performances before, but there was no formal costume and certainly no Great Auditorium. Despite the grand setting, lip stick, blush, and a pretty damn good bun if I do say so myself(!) it was an evening of beginners so we prepared ourselves Friday night for the dance equivalent of elementary school beginner band’s rendition of Hot Cross Buns.

Boy were we wrong. These little girls and their enthusiasm (and sometimes even talent!) not only gave us a show to remember, but the night was peppered with performances by the older dancers whose poise and grace made us catch our breath from time to time. These graceful young ladies showed us, and our girls, what years of dedication can lead to. They were a perfect representation of all the passion and love that the Shoreline staff bestows on its students. From modern to pointe-the young women were more than worthy of the Great Auditorium stage.
As for my little beauty? Let’s just say, that she sure knows how to bring it on home when it counts. There was no rushing, no awkwardness and no nervous chatter. I was stunned at her grace. Now I may be biased and I also may know nothing about ballet, but we were stopped on the street by two different people who wanted to tell her what a great job she did so maybe, she might be a dancer just yet. I hope her dream started there too.