Sunday, October 11, 2015

Dance Like Cinderella...

The music was playing boisterously.  The notes drew us to stop and listen.  A crowd had gathered around an older couple, the man wearing a T-shirt advertising the name of the band, the woman wearing a Disneyland T-shirt and blue tutu skirt.  They were dancing in step, swing dancing it looked like, reminding me of when I tried to swing dance back in college.  My daughter was standing with us, but she inched forward, step by step, and I saw her toe point, her leg lift slightly off the ground.  I knew she wanted to dance.  She walked further and further into the circle, by herself, still seeming shy and hesitant.  I recognized this as a moment, one that she might remember for just today, but one that I would always remember.  I embraced the moment and asked her if she would like to dance with me.  Her entire countenance lit up brightly as her little hands took mine.  I danced with her, dipped her, twirled her around.  She loved it.  I glanced over and saw three other little girls tapping their feet, inching closer, their mom on her phone.  I beckoned to them, "Come dance," and just like my daughter, their faces immediately lit up as they giggled, held hands, and ran into the mix.  As I continued to dance with my sweet one, I took notice around me, more and more people were abandoning pretense and starting to join us.  Two college aged girls grabbed hands and skipped awkwardly right through the middle of the "dance floor," laughing, as their friends giggled from the sidelines.  It was so refreshing to see so many people just enjoying the moment like I was, Mickey Mouse ears on and all.  My son was still on the side.  I reached out my hands to him, beckoning, "Do you want to come, too?"  At first he shook his head no, but then he jumped all in with fancy footwork and handstands, laughing just like the rest of us.  What a magical memory, I am so glad I didn't miss it...