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Saturday, October 22, 2005My Lovely Ballerina
 That an inveterate clutz could give birth to a lithe, graceful child is proof of God's sense of humor -- and His mercy. My daughter Maggie (pictured) is a genetic wonder -- the offspring of two people who trip over their own shadows. Watching her dance is like listening to the waves break upon the shore -- it lifts me out of myself. It's one of the "joy places" in my life. This past Thursday, Eric picked her up from her ballet class, added me to the party, and then the three of us went out for supper at our favorite Irish pub (Americans don't know what "chips" are, I tell ya). Our sweet Maggie sparkled and bubbled and glowed the entire time. Face it -- as one of four children, she doesn't get intense "Mommy and Daddy" time very often. None of them do. It's just a fact of life in a larger family. After the meal, we walked down the street to The Cocoa Tree, a wondrous gourmet/organic chocolate shop without which I don't know how I've survived all these years. Maggie, who was feeling rather "teenager-ish," decided to sit outside and wait for us while she chatted with her sister on my cell phone. After having placed my order, I walked outside to make sure Maggie was okay. She wasn't in the seat where I had left her, so I stood there for a few seconds, looking down the dark street to see where she had flitted off to. I soon spied her just a few yards away, still chatting happily. "Are you looking for your daughter?" said a woman in a party of several at an outside table. "The dancer?" I smiled. "What gave it away?" "Oh, it isn't just the dance clothes," she went on. "She looks like a dancer! I mean, her body and everything..." That gave me just the opportunity I needed to gush for a few moments about my born-to-dance daughter. I might point out that I, in contrast, looked a complete frump in my black racer-stripe sweats and V-neck shirt. "I can't believe that she actually came out of my body," I said. (Yes, I really do talk this way to complete strangers.) "She really made us laugh," the woman then said. "She was talking on the phone, and we heard her say, 'Well, I'm sitting here outside The Cocoa Tree. Daddy is inside, spoiling Mommy.'" That's my Maggie. Little did she know that Daddy was spoiling her, too. The reason this is all so big -- so meaningful -- is that just a year ago, my little ballerina wasn't able to dance at all. She was suffering from a mixture of social and separation anxiety that was triggered by an unfortunate incident at the school of dance she was enrolled in at the time. She wasn't even able to enter a ballet classroom. It was heartbreaking. Prayer, therapy, and a lot of encouragement and support have brought our beautiful daughter to where she is today. She was able to begin studying dance again in February; she was able to perform on stage in June; and just this past week she was able to enroll in a brand new dance school -- new classmates, new teacher, new leotard color. And she made the transition beautifully, flawlessly. We have our Maggie back. The social butterfly is unfurling her once-hidden wings. The warm, genuine smile that causes her dimples to absolutely explode is back. Our ballerina is doing what she was born to do -- she's dancing. And we're ever so proud of her. I'm compelled to add, bursting with pride as I am, that she is also a burdgeoning writer. I'm not talking Haiku or paragraphs about birds -- I'm talking novels. She sits at the keyboard and clickety-clicks away (she's typing close to 30 WMP, I think). I may not have given her the grace and poise that comes so naturally to her, but I must have passed on the writing gene. In that vein, at least, I can claim her as my own. There's nothing quite like watching your child blossom before your eyes. Thanks for indulging me! Labels: parenting |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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13of my readers are feeling chatty:
awwwwww Jill, your love for Maggie is just flowing forth! You are such a proud mommy!
Jill, I totally understand. My daughter danced growing up, and even though she stopped when she got to high school because she injured her ankle and couldn't seem to get over it, there's something about her that IS "dancer." It's not a sport, it's an attitude. ;)
Wow!! That was well said. That’s what you call motherly love. You have a talented young daughter that would make any mother feel proud. I am happy for you. She is lucky to have a mom like you whose love has no end - and that’s the way it should be. She also has your beauty a replica of you, no wonder :)
Saw your site through BE sometime ago. Now that I am back here again, I can see that you have made some wonderful changes. For a moment there, I was wondering if I was at the right site - great layout.
Take care.
That was beautiful. You are blessed and so is Maggie. She sounds wonderful!
You should write a few paragraphs about each of the kids.
ken
Gosh Jill! Look at her! I am so glad that she worked through what she needed to. She is blessed with beauty, talent, strong faith, and wonderful parents.
WTG! Congrat and keep up the great parenting.
Isn't it marvelous to see a part of yourself bloom into something in whose shadow you are compelled to stand?
(Strangely worded, but you get the idea)
I see my middle son turning into an artist, which I am happy to say came from me. It warms the heart to see him in his free time at work on a drawing as opposed to morphing into a globule in front of the TV.
There is a lot to be said for prayer, encouragement, and even therapy.
Good job, Maggie! A beautiful swan, and a writer to boot.
Oh my gosh...your daughter is beautiful...her story is beautiful and I'm so happy that you were able to coach her through such a difficult time...that must be scary...not knowing...and then finding her way! You deserve to feel so great and so does she! Love that she's a writer.
WAY TO GO MAGGIE!!! Good for you overcoming your fears and learning to lean on God!! You are absolutely beautiful!!!
****Jill, you popped a button with all that pride! **sliding it back to you*** WAY TO GO MOM AND DAD!! She is absolutely beautiful and Congratulations!!
Hi again, Jill. I finally fixed your link on my site!
kathie
Oy. Good post. I love watching my daughter grow and thrive--it's one of my favorite things about being a father.
Congratulations on her 'new beginning.'
Thank you all so much. This is really a triumph, and it felt good to share it -- and to receive such enthusiastic support. I love the poop out of that girl. :)
Chench -- yep, I'm going to give equal time to my chickens. Just not all at once -- don't want my readers to start feeling nauseous. ;)
I have a "dancer" too in my youngest who has only just turned four but has two years of ballet under her belt already.I am glad Maggie worked through things and can dance again :)
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