my little sunshine

My little ray of sunshine started ballet class last night. The poor sweetheart was absolutely thrilled at the start of the dance year....she has been looking forward to it for weeks. In the past month, she has developed a "Mommy! Watch this!" mantra that includes her striking a dance pose which is truly heartfelt. With not even one week of our first year of school under our belt, Steve and I rushed through our day and court appearances throughout the county (not to mention the obligatory overnighted dance clothes and shoes!), a quick dinner and so forth in order to get her to class on time. She practically leaped her heart out to get as quickly as she could from the car to the dance studio, demanding to know where "Miss Samantha" was so that she could begin her class as soon as possible. The last four minutes before class was to begin was absolutely excruciating for this little 4-year-old! Finally, Miss Samantha was ready and the dozen or so prima ballerinas were herded into the room.

Mommy patiently waited in the waiting room - a blessed found hour of time for Mommy to catch up on mail and so forth from the office that was stowed in my {giant} purse. After the hour was up, a very red-cheeked ballerina emerged, with eyes filled with tears. When I kneeled down to ask how her first day of ballet was, the tears nearly burst-forth and she whispered that she "just couldn't do all the moves". Oh, my. Mommy's already very full heart nearly exploded in grief. After an enveloping hug and gentle kisses to the ballerina's forehead, Miss Samantha explained that there were some tears during class and that she was permitted to sit to the side for a short while.

Sweet little ballerina, we patiently explained, it comes with many hours of practice. It took Miss Samantha many years to be as wonderful as she is. And we know that your talent is lying just before the surface, ready to explode. And, you are Four Years Old. Do we not all recall how necessary it was at that age to be just perfect at everything? How you have lived life so long and should just be able to do everything just so?

After we returned home to bathtime and "homework", our little sunshine was able to demonstrate all that she had learned her first day of ballet. The leaps were especially impressive {run, run, leap!}.

We embolden our girls to know that they can and will be the best at anything their precious hearts' desire. But, oh, how it breaks Mommy's heart to have to explain the disappointment when it doesn't come immediately.

Cheer up little girl! It is only Nine more months until you are up on that stage again, dancing your little heart out!!

XXOO