This is our granddaughter Kelsey. Yesterday Roger, @rwedegis, and I went to see her recital. She's 14 now and has been dancing since very young, not your "ok, I spent a year doing tap,jazz and ballet, so now I show parents and grandparents what I learned" type dancer, but an "So focused, practicing non stop, a stint in Boston, winning awards" dancer.
Yes, we are proud but a Grandmother ,who was adopted ,I wonder WHERE does this come from.
I sit in the audience and tears come down my cheeks. Tears of pride, tears for the beauty of her movement and tears from a glimpse of my past? and a glimpse of a legacy.
In the 90"s Roger helped me find my birth family and we all met. I was able to see where I get my idiosyncrasies such as hand gestures, the way I walk and even the strange way I purse my lips when thinking. (damn that wrinkle).
My Grandmother was, are you ready, the fat lady in a circus and hocked her diamond ring to go to New York City to be with the actors and actresses on Broadway. Story was she did perform with a chorus line so maybe that's the key. (laughing out loud right now at the thought) Her mother? I think ruled the roost but never heard about her dancing. Grandfather was from the Azores and not much is known except that my daughter can get the darkest skin come summer from just appearing in the daylight.
So who was the dancer? Or is it just that love of music that runs through us all. The rhythm, the movement. My children grew up with music on 24/7, we danced, we sang and now my daughter has the very best play list, all composed of that music. Our son plays guitar and sings in a band. And me, LOL, took drum lessons at 40, always dancing and my art.
Kelsey is the extension of generations. She is on that stage with so many women that have come before us and I've never been prouder.
Warmly,
Sheila