Change Is Good
You would think that since Alexis is only 6-years old I would remember exactly when she started dance class. I really don't have a clue, though. See that? THAT is why I have to blog. I can't be trusted to remember something simple. I need The Googles to be able to help me out with this stuff.
(The Googles says she started dancing when she was three. Thank you, The Googles!)
Looking back, it's really hard to believe that the entire reason I enrolled Alexis in dance was that I wanted her to work on the whole Shy Thing. She was painfully shy as a toddler and I REALLY needed her to crawl her way out of my butt for an hour per week.
What a difference three years can make.
Alexis is now the kid who goes running off into a crowd of her peers and completely forgets to stop for a second and say goodbye to me. She gives presentations in front of her kindergarten class without hesitation. She will walk up to a stranger and ask for help. It's a really beautiful thing.
As I sat in a dimly lit auditorium this evening watching Alexis' dance rehearsal (her recital is next week), lots of moments from the past three years passed through my mind. I thought about all of the times I stood inside a dance studio with a tiny Alexis clinging to my leg as tears streamed down her face. She was too scared to leave my side and join her class. I thought about her first "recital," which was really nothing more than a regular class, except that parents were allowed in the room. I thought about the parents who have annoyed me, the teacher who failed Alexis, the other parents who annoyed me, and most of all, I thought about how very far she has come.
There was a time when I didn't think Alexis was a very good dancer. I would like to publicly and loudly declare myself wrong about that. While watching the rehearsal tonight, it became clear that Alexis knows every step in all three of her routines. Every. Single. Step. She doesn't need to look off stage to get hints from her teachers. Instead, she looks straight ahead into the audience with a huge smile on her face as she executes those steps perfectly.
You guys, I have two very uncoordinated left feet. It's amazing that I wasn't kicked out of Marching Band in high school because rhythm? My feet don't have that. If I were to try to do a ball-chain-hop-step thingy-ma-bobber, I'd fall flat on my butt, as if I had been hit in the head with a ball and chain.
I do not know where this child who can dance came from, but I'm crazy proud of her.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Reader Comments (19)
Frame. That. Picture. Immediately.
It's gorgeous.
And yeah, kids are so awesome watch grow & change & shock you. Go Alexis!
@Jayna--I'm uploading it to order a poster-sized print as I type this.
Yep, this made me tear up. It's wonderful what our kids can become when we let them be who are they destined to be. :)
What a beautiful picture.
Look at that tall skinny girl! She's so big now! Not that you need me to tell you that. I'm sure you're painfully aware.
Oh my is that photo all kinds of gorgeous. Dramatic and cute...that's a rare combo. Thank you!
I can't get over how big she looks. That is one GORGEOUS shot!
What a beautiful picture of a beautiful little dancer!
That picture takes my breath away. Absolutely stunning.
I love that she now has the confidence to do all those things. She is a smart beautiful little girl. I feel like saying you should be proud. But that's a stupid comment because i know you are. You should also know you are a awesome momma for pushing her to go outside of her comfort zone. She will love you for it ehen she is older.
Gorgeous! A true "take your breath away" shot...yay for Alexis!)
(And I'm only a tiny bit jealous her recital is next week. Ours isn't until mid-June.)
That photo is AMAZING.
count me on the bandwagon for how spectacular that shot is. incredible!
can just anyone come to the dance recital or only family?
The fact that you believed in her from the beginning is what matters. You may not think you did, but you did. Good for both of you! Happy Mother's Day!! :)
You know that a lot of credit for what she is today goes to you? You do know that. Don't you? You are the most amazing mother in the world!
And yes, that is such a breathtaking picture! She is gorgeous! Would love to see a picture of it hanging on your wall.
Awesome. Just awesome. All of it.
I love that picture! And yes, I can relate to the shy kid turned social butterfly - that's totally my 7 yo boy too. :)
That is the most beautiful picture! I agree with the others - you need to frame that one! And she looks beautiful in her glasses. : ).
I have an unhealthy love for this photo! After seeing it several times over the past few days I still stop and stare every time I see it. Amazing and Beautiful!