The Recital

I wanted to get this all down while it was still fresh in my heart, although I don’t think I’ll be forgetting Annabelle’s first dance recital for a very, very long time, if ever.

About a year ago Annabelle starting asking to go to dance school “to be a real ballerina”. I looked around, found a good one and got her scheduled to start in the fall. She asked me daily last summer when dance class started.

For the last 9 months she has been going to class (Annabelle received her “first trophy” for Attendance after the recital, she was so proud) while I read a book in the waiting area. This past month the parents have been asked to watch the routines to get the girls used to performing in front of an audience. It seemed each 4 year old had their own thing they wouldn’t do, this one wouldn’t shuffle, that one wouldn’t shake their hips etc. Annabelle decided she wouldn’t do the arm lift required in the ballet routine. ( I’m sure there is a name for it but it’s when they turn to the side, one arm goes straight up as the back leg goes out with the other arm down, so the arms make like a steep ramp). I mean she just flat out said “I don’t want to do it”. So we practiced it, I showed her how the other girls did it and right up to dress rehearsal she still wasn’t doing it.

Show night arrives, the tap routine goes beautifully and we get ready for ballet. As I am taking her out into the hallway to line up with her class and I say “now remember, arm up” and she gives me that “yeah, whatever” look. I leave it go, this is supposed to be fun after all.

I went out and joined the entourage to watch the show, Aunt Karen, Kurt, Jenny & Jason, Aunt Kathy, Nana, Daddy & Nate. Out come the mice (which made the entire audience sigh “awwww”) and I watched as my little girl finally got her “real ballerina” moment.

Then came the part of the routine with the arm lift. I felt myself holding my breath a few seconds right before it was scheduled. OK, here we go, arms up, twirl around, turn to the side and UP GOES THE ARM! She did it; really perfectly with straight posture did it, not once but all 4 times. I’ll admit, I cried. Tears of pride, tears of relief, just tears because my daughter wanted something, worked for it and got it. Tears because this is the kind of moment I envisioned when I found out I was being blessed with a little girl.

As I went back to the hallway to pick her up after the dance was over and she came running into my arms. “Did you see me Mommy?” “Of course my sweetheart, of course I did, you were just perfect”