Tiny Dancer

Tonight I snuck a peek...Okay, I flat out watched Jillian through the tiny window at dance (despite the fact that we really aren't supposed to).  The frame of the window seemed to frame her tiny, graceful body perfectly.  In fact, by chance, she was the only girl I could even see at the angle of the window.  I guess I was meant to watch her.

I was in awe.  Don't worry, I promise this won't turn into a bragging mom post about how great of a dancer my daughter is...  That is not the point at all.  Frankly, I don't even know if she is the best, the worst, or average.  I was just watching my Jillian Kate.  I watched her carefully point her toes.  She deliberately moved into each position her teacher called out.  She moved with a grace about her that I could never imagine (and would never have myself).  I couldn't believe my eyes.  I couldn't believe that my little girl knew what to do as the teacher yelled, "Plie´! Releve´!"  As they continued to practice, her arms gracefully extend out with her toes pointed and outstretched in the opposite direction.  She was concentrating.  She was working to do everything she was told.  (Aside from the habitual swipe of her bangs that kept falling into her face).

Watching her, I saw a young lady.  A girl who has grace, patience, composure, and maturity, with the spring in her step that only a three-year-old ballerina has.  How did this happen?  Who is this tiny person?  She is growing into her own.  She is discovering her likes, dislikes, talents, and...who she is.  Who she will become.  And this whole dance thing?  It is completely independent from us.  Sure, we take her there, pay for it, etc.  Yet, once she is there, she is on her own.  She is a dancer.  She doesn't have a mom who danced for 12 years and knows everything about what she is learning.  This is her thing.  She knows more than I do.  (I've even been know to Google ballet terms that she mentions and shows me - so I can see if she is doing it right.)  This really is her thing, not mine.  I love that.  I love that she can feel proud...independent.  And...for whatever reason, I feel like tonight I had a glimpse into the future.  It wasn't the dancing, per se.  I don't know if she will even continue to dance in the future. It was the concentration and sincere intent and desire to do well.  It is a quality that I know that we will continue to see as she tries to conquer her challenges.  Witnessing it through that little skinny window...was beautiful to me.

Then...the music stopped.  Stickers and suckers were awarded to the girls that did an exceptional job during practice and the door burst open.  My little Jillian came running to me, talking a mile a minute...bubbling over with energy.  The glimpse of the future snapped back to the present.  My fun-loving, joyful preschooler had to tell me all about her day.

I will love every minute of this energetic little girl time.  A glimpse into the future makes the present even more endearing.

She talked our whole way home until dinner time.