Graceful

There once was a child who was born to dance.
From the earliest days, that girl lit up a stage.
I witnessed it myself.

That girl's mom saw the high school years approaching in no time,
and she wanted to capture whatever glimpses remained of the child.
(Smart mom.)



So I got to spend an evening with Irene.
(Lucky me!)



Irene's gracefulness speaks for itself.





What struck me was the worn out floor and the shoes
that spoke more of strength and toughness
than of gracefulness.











There were other classes in other studios.
Friends who have spent a lifetime together.
Teachers who are mentors.
Little girls who look up to the big girls.
Inspiring, all of it.



And the mom waiting as always at the end of the evening.

Irene, watching you dance was such a beautiful experience.
I loved your energy and passion, your focus and determination,
the fun you were having with your friends,
and the fact that you are comfortable in your own skin.



Next year you are going to high school
Only God knows where else you will go in life.
But this is for certain:
You shine by being just the girl He made you to be.



Graceful.

A moment to breathe

We live in an area rich with green space.
So much so that I practically have to pinch myself sometimes
because it's Right. Here. at my suburban doorstep.

I frequently take advantage of all the serenity on my morning walks with a friend,
but it's a little less often I get my family out there with me.

So it was my Mother's Day request.  They were excited.

We hiked.  For like a whole mile.

There was a little competition for who would get to the little shelter first.  Ahem.

In the end, one got to the shelter first.  One got to the lake first.
One smelled the flowers.  (And took pictures of them.)
And one (God bless him!) ran interference.

We even discovered a geocache we weren't looking for.

And I got my favorite Mother's Day gift.