I Hope You Dance

 I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I love this song, it speaks to me on so many levels.

I had dance lessons from an early age.   My first dance instructor was Russian, how she made it to Texas I'll never know.   And she was definately "old school".   We dressed appropriately, in practice leotards made for her classes, we obeyed and we learned.  She taught us ballet, and with her long ruler, walked through the classes beating time for us as we worked at the barre.   She was a taskmaster and the best dance teacher I ever had.   I was with her for 3 years.   After that, as my family moved, I took dance lessons at various suburban dance schools, and continued to study ballet and tap all the way through high school.   I even went back to dance school in my 40's and participated in a dance recital.  

My idol growing up was the prima ballerina Maria Tallchief, and I wore out the record to Carosel dancing to the music in our living room.   The Red Shoes was my favorite movie.  Being told that you are now good enough and have persmission to wear toe shoes was right up there with getting a driver's license.   As an adult, my life took a different path, and I did not pursue dance after I married.   (Except of course that one year referenced above), but I leaned so much from those years in dance class.   Lesson ranged from good posture, discipline, and how to perform in front of crowds, as part of an ensemble or solo.  I was part of some great recitals and some disasters.  And it was all good.   To this day, I attribute my "great legs" (this judged by Mr. B.) to dance training.  



Once upon a time...



I relive those wonderful days every time I design and create dance costumes for the dolls.  The materials, trims and dance shoes help me recapture a wonderful time in my life.  Hope some of that enjoyment is apparent in the costumes.    Enjoy, and again, I hope you dance!!

Currently available at CSBSEWS Doll Clothes: