This past weekend I had the privilege of watching so many talented dancers perform on a stage that I’ve known and loved for many years–beginning when Mama and Daddy took us to see performances there when we were little to performing there as a college student to, in more recent years, seeing my own children perform on it. If those curtains could talk…..they are woven into my story and the stories of thousands of others. Beautiful. Bold. Regal. Strong.
The event was the labor of love and brainchild of a wonderful woman who has a servant’s heart and a dancer’s spirit and so much talent. Dancers for Hope happens each September, with dancers from studios all around coming together to perform and raise money to support families with children who have cancer. This event is near and dear to many hearts, including those of our family.
Over the years of being a dance mom, I’ve learned how much I love being backstage. The energy, the excitement, the encouragement–so precious. Quiet moments of chaos and bouncing children whose feet move in muscle memory are surpassed only by the joy in the hold that is almost palpable. This past weekend was no exception, so much the same and yet……treasures to be found in learning new things all over again.
After the numerous trips up and down the age old stairs were done, the last pom pom and water bottle and makeup bag packed back into my van, I drove home bathed in the glow of the setting sun and the warmth from a joy-filled day. Man, I love the exhaustion from a busy day of good things happening.
As night took over and sleep beckoned, I tucked away the treasured memories of the day to reflect upon another time. I fell asleep smiling and giving thanks. On the way home tonight, I realized that much like fine silverware and beautiful delicate china, its only real value is when it is being shared with those you love. And so, if you’ll indulge me, I want to share with you some of the treasures I have tucked away from this weekend.
- Performers who love performing, right before they go on stage, are some of my most favorite people to be around. The smiles, the giggles, the anticipation, the kind words, the hugs and pats on the back and high fives. Bless their sweet selves. May they always make time to do all of these things that connect them to those they share space with.
- It’s amazing what paper and colored pencils can do. In this age of tablets and cell phones and podcasts and social media, it blew me away to see what the magic of those two things did as these children, young and old, took pencil to paper and created. We had been a little worried about the downtime between rehearsal and performance, but creativity and imagination took over, and we had some masterpieces created in there!
- The spirit of young people shedding their childhood is fiery and fragile and like putting together a puzzle of a thousand pieces. You see it all there and it can be messy and overwhelming at times, but then there are moments when you can just put it all together rapid fire-one after another clicking into place-and you see who they are becoming so clearly. Saturday was one of those days. We’d mentioned earlier last week to some of our 11 and up dancers that last year the younger ones enjoyed playing games while they waited to perform and asked if they would be willing to play with them. Y’all. Those sweet young people understood the assignment. They played and laughed and talked and never once acted like they were too old to play with “children.” Some brought games from home and one had even colored paper on both sides and cut out squares to make a matching game so she could bring a game to share. They LOVED being present for the younger ones. I am so thankful we got to see that. Precious.
- In case anyone is wondering, the magic of the Sears Toy Catalog whose arrival in the mail was a joyous occasion when I was little is not gone. Not even a little bit. My dear dancing friend and all around beautiful person brought with her an Amazon toy catalog that had recently come in her mail. She wasn’t sure why she’d gotten it, but she thought she’d bring it. Suffice to say, we now know why and I suspect we know Who made sure she had it. It worked its magic on overwrought anxious nerves and had littles smiling and dreaming and not even thinking about being worried about anything.
- Toilet paper is a priceless commodity. Find you at least one young man who understands that. Our unsung hero of the day was one of our dancers, a young man, who, when the women’s bathroom was down a stall because of lack of toilet paper and we asked if he’d check the men’s for extra, not only did that but, when he found that there was none, went in search of a supply closet and found the stash. Three stalls were back up and running in a building of mostly girls and women thanks to his getting it and being willing to pitch in.
- Pitching in–a whole ‘nother treasure. The day was filled with Mamas and Daddies and friends and family all offering in one way or another to pitch in. Such a blessing. It takes a village–and I’m incline to believe that the villages with the most light are those where folks pitch in. So blessed.
- Little girls who hug you and say they love their “people” will melt your heart. Every. Single. Time.
- Little boys who throw themselves across the table after performing and trekking back down those stairs and exclaim with a release of air and energy, “Wow, I forgot how much fun it is to dance on stage!” will have you ready to move Heaven and earth to make that happen for them again. And again.
- Babies, much beloved new blessed creatures from God, cannot control when and where they have blowouts. Mamas who have an extra outfit tucked away are smart and beautiful and someone should bake them a cake as a treat for being so smart, even if it wasn’t intentional or planned. Friends and families who can laugh about such things are the true gifts.
- If you need help, ask. In the words of my Mama, “the worst that can happen is they say ‘no,’ and then you’ll know.” We had the best time creating a basket for the Dancers for Hope raffle fundraiser which became two baskets then three then four because we asked if anyone had any suggestions or anything to add to it. And they DID. They were put together by talented hands because a young woman who is far better at such things than I pitched in. In a world where “independent” is often equated with strength and worn like a badge of honor to the detriment of being anything less than independent, it was beautiful to see joy multiplied and more opportunities created because we asked.
- Pick up behind yourselves. The littles are watching. They see. And they’re judging. And if you’ve never seen a young furrowed brow contemplating what your punishment should be for leaving your losing raffle tickets scattered across the floor or your empty Cheez-It bag laying on the ground, well I just can’t do it justice with words. Suffice to say, you don’t want to see it. Pick up your trash. Save us from the furrowed brows.
- Show up. Be present. And that doesn’t always have to be physically in person. Showing up can look like quiet moments remembering someone, praying for them, sending an encouraging message, writing a note, calling them and listening, as well as being physically there with a cheer and a hug and clapping hands. For every dancer on that stage, there were so many people “present” for them…..in the audience, backstage, downstairs, at home, out of town, in another state even. Showing up for those you don’t even know is also a blessing. When dancers from another studio came off the stage and ours waiting to perform gave them a silent clap, we got to see firsthand what showing up for others, even those you don’t know, can do. Smiles abounding.
- Laughter begets joy. And the ripple of joy is far reaching. Never ending, some might say. A young man whom I have known every single minute of his existence *ahem* might have been seen skipping across a dark parking lot last night carrying the trash to the bin outside. I’m not going to name names but just know that there was joy in that step and he then invited others to join him. “It’s hard not to be happy when you’re skipping.” Truth. (Mind your business as to how recently I confirmed that statement. 😉 ) That skipping? Residue left over from a beautiful weekend. He said over and over what a good day it was. I’m so thankful.
- There are few things in this life more beautiful than seeing those you love doing what feeds their soul, brings them joy, and blesses others. My heart overflows with gratitude over the privilege of getting to be here for that.
The dances on stage for the performance were beautiful and moving and fun and inspirational and lovely and happy and touching and energetic and so many, many things. Coming together, Dancers for Hope raised a record high this year–$10,785 for Jay’s Hope Foundation. What an amazing thing–how an 8 count here and a 16 count there done by this one and that one and those over there could add up to that much! I’m humbled by the dream of the founder of Dancers for Hope and thrilled that we had a little part in it. Each dance was special and a vision of a creative mind come to life.
Just like we are. If there’s anything I hope that these dancers who touch my life will remember and know–they are special, a vision of their Creator come to life. Unique and precious and beautiful. Each in their own way. Their own Dance.
Tonight I’m thankful for dreamers who care, for dancers who dream, and for the Joy of the Dance. May tomorrow give you the opportunity to high five your fellow “dancers” and cheer them on. May you love your people, find joy on the Stage, laugh at the blowouts along the way, and always find inspiration to dream and ways to pitch in. May you find the strength in asking for help and know that the truest treasures are meant to be shared.
Love to all.
For more information about Jay’s Hope, go here: https://www.jayshope.org A wonderful organization to support! To learn more about Dancers for Hope, check them out on social media: https://www.facebook.com/dancersforhope/
artwork by a.a. saulmon
Chicken Trolls 
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