Now With Less Stink

Considering that I have dropped it down a flight of stairs, Mila has thrown it across a room, and I've watched it fall to the ground dozens of times, I was due to shatter the screen on my phone. I mean, I OWED it to the universe to have to run to the Apple Store, admit that I made my phone sad, and then pay some money.

So I did that. Minus the paying some money part because WOOOOOO! I love fantastic customer service!!!!!

Ahem.

It was as I was leaving the Apple Store that I saw her. Out of the corner of my eye, there bounced a slender brunette in a long flowing dress. I hadn't seen her in over five years, but I recognized her immediately.

Alexis' dance teacher.

Alexis has had a long line of dance teachers. Each and every one of them has been an amazing force of positivity, grace, and professionalism. Except THAT one. THAT one . . . HOOBOY.

I wrote about that one a long time ago.

That one teacher was the teacher who made Alexis feel like she should just pack up her ballet shoes and head for the hills. Little Alexis didn't stand a chance as a REAL dancer. Dancing was most definitely not her calling. After all, little girls who get attacked by the floor constantly and who don't have the confidence to stand in front of a room filled with strangers have no chance of ever getting better.

WELP.

What Alexis is currently doing with dance is mostly her story to tell, but it's safe to say that recent months have proven that if you kick up the difficulty level, Alexis will rise to the occasion. And rise. And rise some more. Girlfriend is doing VERY well. She is doing so well that I have to say *I* was wrong about what she can do. I'm constantly floored by how gracefully she's hanging in there as she learns new and harder choreography.

So as I watched THAT dance teacher bounce through the mall, I thought about what I would say. I thought about all of the words that would be appropriate for a person who tried to squash a passion in a small child. I thought all of the things.

Then I turned on my heel and walked the other way, smiling silently to myself. Karma will make the rounds eventually.

Comments

[ann]

It's so hard to watch someone blatantly treat your child disrespectfully. Good for you for taking the high road. And you're totally right about karma!

[Jessica]

I teach dance, because I love the kids and I love the art. I teach dance for FUN....for the kid who wants so badly to dance and shine and sparkle but has been made to feel not good enough to be a "serious" student. These kids, these are truly the stars, for they will always shine and they will amaze everyone with their brightness (and it has nothing to do with their turnout or perfect extension). And you know what.....that teacher is already getting a dose of karma, because she lost the chance to see a beautiful student truly shine!