Live to dance?
We had a treat this past weekend. We watched our granddaughters dance in their yearly recital. They’ve done competitive dance for the past 7 or 8 years. They practice for hours every week, with only 6 weeks off during the summer. The commitment is big, but both of them are dedicated.
My oldest granddaughter Michaela, is a medical miracle, and every time I watch her dance I’m reminded of this (she’s on the left in the photo below). She was premature (3 1/2 lbs at birth). When she was 4 she had a chest x-ray for a cough that wouldn’t go away. The radiologist discovered, quite by accident, that she has 3 fused discs in her spine. She was referred to a spinal specialist, put through testing and she’s met with him every year for follow-up. We all honestly expected the worst and she may still have some tough times ahead, but the doctor can’t believe her flexibility and growth. He’s told us that he’s never seen anything like it and he attributes it directly to dancing.
Our younger granddaughter Alyssa is also a dancer. She’s filled with the grace and movements of a ballerina.
Alyssa’s in the right front in the photo below.
I say thank you in my prayers for what dancing has given to each of them.
I’ll finally be doing some sewing with my granddaughters next week and we’ll start working on some more projects for Sewing with Kids. Summer’s finally here!
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17 Comments
mimi'sdarlins
Anne, I got goosebumps reading about Michaela, what an extraordinary girl! You know I love hearing about your two darling granddaughters (something we have in common). Both our girls have been active in aerial arts for years, and their performances are short of amazing. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for the next Sewing With Kids. ‘My’ girls and I have recently started new projects, and for the youngest, it is her first time using a real needle and thread. Like her sister, she seems to be a natural….I love it :)
Sinta
What beautiful girls and how blessed to have that kind of talent. It is an amazing story Anne.
Lynda
What a fantastic story – of your granddaughter’s determination, of both girls’ commitment and talent, and of your deep love for them. I just LOVE this!
My 5 year-old great-niece has been enrolled in dance class for three years now, and I show up for her recitals (and occasionally take her to class), and it’s pure joy to watch as she learns how to follow her instructor’s directions and do the dance moves.
Sonia
Beautiful shots and story! Thanks for sharing!
ina
Amazing! ;p
Barb
Your granddaughters are absolutely adorable!! These are wonderful pictures of true beauty in motion!
Thank you so much for sharing them – you are truly a very blessed family!
Joanne Moore
What beautiful blessings your granddaughters are! What lucky girls to have you as their grandmother!
rosa
Your old granddaughter is a figter.The photos are beautiful.
Summer is here too.This week is hotter.
kitty
You are really blessed, Anne, with two talented granddaughters! Dancing is a wonderful thing!
To me it has often been a physical response to being happy or being sad. When I suffered from stress, dancing helped me getting back into balance again. How wonderful your granddaughter found dancing to miraculously improve her physical condition!!
The way people dance can show a lot about their personality.For me the first picture is interesting, because your ( beautiful) granddaughter really gives away that she’s a fighter. The position of her hands, that differs from the conventional position adopted by the other girls, suggest to me resistance, pushing back. Nevertheless she performs like the others.
I hope your granddaughters will continue to enjoy dancing as they do now, but I also hope they will enjoy quilting: another wonderful way to express yourself. I’m sure they have the best teacher here!
Linda V
My daughter and I both took dance (ballet) until high school. We both love dance to this day. Now, my grandaughter who is just 4 has started dance. There is nothing more exhilarating that watching a dancer! Love hearing about your miracle granddaughter, too. Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Mary Ann
My daughter did competitive dancing too all the way through high school and even though she didn’t face the health challenges she loved it so much! And learned so much about hard work, commitment and teamwork, skills that still serve her well. And how I I remember the those joyful smiles…thanks for sharing!
Jackie Roisler
Lovely is by far too weak a word to describe the photos and your grand-daughters pure joy revealed in their faces :)
Sandra
Hi Anne they are beautiful pictures of your granddaughter’s . Dancing can help in so many things. My daughter was a ballerina and she had type one diabetes and it really helped to keep her blood sugars in check by dancing. Have fun sewing with them this summer. Blessings Sandra
Beth
Hi Anne, These are beautiful pictures of beautiful girls! My daughter danced for 5 years when she was about that age – I don’t think I ever got pictures so close and clear! Just wanted to say, my 25 year old son was diagnosed about 4 years ago with a form of spinal arthritis that can lead to the spine fusing. He has been on Enbrel for the last few years and it has been a miracle. His pain is completely gone and his last MRI showed the damage done in the past had improved. I’ll be praying for your precious granddaughter and her health.
Ilse
Such gorgeous girls! Wonderfull pictures too.
Anna
how beautifully special they are!
Lemon Tree Tami
I love that first photo of the girls in grey leaping in the air. The joy on their faces is amazing to behold. Such lovely granddaughters … it’s wonderful to see how much they enjoy dancing.