My Ballerina

From an early age, Hope had wanted to take dance. We are a very musical family and on any given day, if you happened to be walking past our house, you may hear someone playing the piano or music coming from the speakers of our stereo. And during these times, you could almost bet that you would find Hope spinning and twirling to a made up dance. There were a myriad of reasons why we didn't put her in dance in the past, but the main reason I remember was from when we still lived in Baraboo...it was very expensive.

After Lisa and I were married, Hope again brought up her desire to go into dance and it was then, after much thought and discussion (the boys were involved in several sports and dance would give Hope a similar outlet), we agreed to look into it. I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable it was here, but also knew it would require a commitment on both Hope and our parts...

Every Tuesday, week after week (since last September), we would have to leave work early to pick Hope up from home and bring her to dance practice. I have to admit that at first, I viewed this as a hassle...an interruption to MY schedule. This quickly changed as I saw how much she enjoyed it and it gave us time...just father and daughter. I remember the first two or three weeks, she would come out of class almost in tears, wanting to quit. She wasn't used to the physical demands or the harsh commands an instructor, at times, can have. This too passed and it all became routine.

This all culminated this past weekend as Hope had her very first dance recital! Lisa raised two boys and was COMPLETELY caught by surprise with the 'Toddlers and Tiara's' atmosphere that surrounded the dressing room on the first night (the recital was Saturday night and Sunday afternoon). Mother's armed with curling irons and palates of makeup, hair spray and glitter, hovered over their daughters like humming birds near a feeder! Determined NOT to be taken un-awares again, Lisa embraced her inner 'Bling-Bling mommy' side and took Hope out after Saturday's show to 'stock-up'...all I can say is Hope looked beautiful! And not over the top! Thank you honey!


The auditorium was packed (we literally got the last two tickets and God must have been looking out for us because they were in the very first row, practically at stage level with the dancers) and I was a bit worried that seeing such a throng of people might unnerve her and cause her to lose her concentration.

I needn't have worried...she held herself with a poise and confidence that belied her experience...and for the next 3 minutes, time around her stood still. Her movements were fluid and graceful. Flawless?...of course not, but to my eyes she was perfect... enchanting...this was MY daughter. Her face was absolutely radiant! If the power in the building had failed, her smile alone would have lit the place.

And at that moment it struck me, my daughter is growing up...my youngest...my baby girl, is becoming a young lady. When did this happen? I've been watching her and seeing her every single day, and yet...why haven't I noticed this? It's thrilling! and at the same time, heart wrenching...time is slipping through my hands, it's like trying to hold water when you have your hands cupped together...no matter how hard you try, eventually the water runs out.

So here I am wondering if I've made the right choices for her...have I guided her, taught her and given her the best of me...and have kept and hidden the worst of me? I pray that God gives me the wisdom and grace, the strength and the courage to finish this dance we call parenting...
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Cinderella ~ Steven Curtis Chapman

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone.

~ V