I do believe that a passion for something serves as the core of one's being. If you love something or have enthusiasm for something it gives meaning to life. It also keeps kids busy!
After "Kelly's Brass", I've got to do "Margaret's dance". I don't know if dancing was on Margaret's radar screen when she was in elementary school but she tried piano, a band instrument and even a year of the "gossipy, clannish" cheerleading. Actually she was pretty good at all of them.
My memory says that Margaret's mom pushed her into dance practice. I don't remember whether she danced at age 7-8 in Sheboygan at the Diane Remy studio but Appleton provided Miss Marcia's Dance Studio. It was just steady, grind it out practice of tap, jazz, modern dance, and ballet (I probably forgot one). I think there were times when Margaret didn't even want to practice.
But then, there were the year end recitals. Two nights of dance routines by Miss Marcia's students at the local high school auditorium. The year end extravaganza brought in close to 3,000 family and friends each night. Margaret beamed!
I remember that you could not take pictures or video tape any of the recital performances because Miss Marcia retained all rights. Margaret's mom didn't listen real well and went out and bought a small video camera that she could put in her purse. Once the recitals started, the video tape machine began while hidden in her lap. Yup, mom got it all on tape. I was embarrassed to sit with mom. I thought she might get arrested. In hindsight, they wouldn't arrest a mom for "taping" her daughter would they.
And then there were the costumes. Margaret lived for the new creations. The flowers on recital nights. The excitement. Obviously the passion started to grow.
Margaret did performances around the area for different community groups and even mall engagements.
Slowly the sophistication of the dance began to grow. I know a select group of students went to several regional dance competitions in Chicago. I think Marica's daughter Julie spearheaded the effort. As I recall, Margaret and Julie did a couple routines together. Margaret and friends won some of the competitions. There was also advanced instrution by professionals.
Dance lessons consumed 1-2 nights per week along with miscellaneous competitions. The ultimate compliment had to come when Miss Marcia asked Margaret to instruct the younger students. That added another night to the week. Margaret turned out to be an excellent teacher because she could empathize with the younger people. There was even one cute little student that turned out to be one of Margaret's favorites named Shelby, the same name as her mom. A student named Shelby had to be special.
The confidence of Margaret grew because she knew she was good at dancing. The added benefit was she stayed in terrific shape. Until you've tapped, bounced and twirled your way around a dance floor for an hour, you can't imagine the stamina that you need.
So like Kelly, Margaret had something that brought joy to her life. It provided a basis for many of the things she has accomplished.
I've seen too many movies over the years because I've always wanted Margaret to teach me a quick little tap dance step so that when I feel the joy of the world, I could just swipe my feet across the floor in a certain way, dance across the floor and impress those around me. Yeah, right!
It is this Dad's fondest dream that Grasshopper No.5 again pursues the dance passion she once perfected. Life's pressures sometime force things we love into the background but they are never forgotten. She is so good at it and loves it so much. I hope it resumes a prominent place in her life. May she dance the night away.
Love,
Dad