Prancing Little Ponies

It was June of 1980.  My ankles were almost as chubby as my cheeks. I wasn't nervous because for the last eight months I was convinced that I would have to go on stage alone and perform the waltz of the sugar plum ferry, en pointe. You can imagine the sense of relief when I realized the white costume, the 11 other girls and my pink slippers were going to be with me.

It was fairly easy for me to deal with the lights and the crowd.  I was free to focus on my dance and to chastise the girl who decided to lead the circle and meet me in the middle.  She turned around and went back.

This led to 14 more years of dance recitals for me, a semester as a dance major in college, many years of teaching and choreographing.  Dance is in my blood and without it, I'd be nothing.

Fast forward to May 13, 2011.  Lydia's first dance recital. Was I nervous?  Yes.  Was she nervous?  Not at all.  She walked right into the dressing room like an old pro.  The stage lights didn't phase her a bit and she performed her little heart out.  I'm very proud of her. And you know one of the best parts? My teacher from that day in 1980 was with me to watch Lydia take the stage for the very first time.

Will she love it as much as I did? Maybe, maybe not.  That's her choice.  But she'll always remember her Tinkerbell dance, just as I will always remember Prancing Little Ponies. And she will not go back to this studio.  The show stunk :)