I’ve just had the most life affirming weekend, probably ever!

In the last 4 days, I have had 5 commitments to attend for various reasons.  Some were for pleasure, some for work, and some for moral obligation.  Yes, that sounds rude, but hear me out….

Thursday night we had an opportunity to see some fellow dancers of my daughter.  We were excited. Because as a dancer, you strive to express yourself.  You WANT to be seen.  You WORK for it.  My daughter and her peers are of an age where they are creating their own work.  It’s an amazing time in their lives.  At this time, my daughter can’t dance because of a fracture.  But she wants to see her friends, because dance has always been a huge part of her life and she and her friends have grown together in this!  We are so glad we went.  The performances were wonderful, and her friends choreography left me choked up.  It was so moving, I couldn’t be happier to be a part.  We were so proud and the dancers were thrilled we were there!  It was awesome!

The following night I was hired to shoot a high school dance production.  I was so excited because I know many of the dancers.  The show was great!  I couldn’t have been more proud of the many dancers I have watched grow over the years!

The next morning, I had my own performance.  I have been taking singing lessons because it’s a semi-private passion of mine.  There were at least 20 other singers and it was intimidating, but rewarding.  I got through my performance okay and was proud of my hard work.  I had my besties there to support me.

The night after that, we got to attend a professional dance company with one of my daugthers coaches.  The show was nothing short of inspiring!  There were two pieces in the show and each left us speechless for different reasons.  We LOVED it!  And we were thrilled to see the coach after the dance to give our congratulations!

Today we had a 50th year wedding anniversary celebration to attend.  FIFTY YEARS MARRIED, PEOPLE!!!  Such a rarity nowadays!  We were reluctant to go, but in the end we left feeling so glad we showed up! Most of the original wedding party was in attendance.  Stories of the past were flowing freely and laughter was in abundance!  It was the most heartwarming event of the weekend.  Rich with life……..

Tonight I reflected on the weekend and was left in AWE….

All of these performances, celebrations were left with one thing in common… They would have been NOTHING without the support and love of others!

We really do need each other!  And we really do appreciate each other.  YES, we may balk at times… but the bottom line is we are nothing without those around us! Those who lay witness to our life and achievements!

Can you imagine practicing for months for a concert that no one would attend?  Running a marathon with no one around?  Teaching a class to NO ONE?

WE NEED EACH OTHER!!!

I think that statement is GROSSLY underappreciated!  Some people think they are fine on their own.  But in the end, we are all the barometric pressure sensor for those around us!!

Life is a long road, people!  And I hate to tell you this, but you WON’T get out alive!  So, you’d better enjoy the ride while you are here!  I’d love to go to Hawaii, but I’m not sure I’d love it as much on my own, as I would with a person who can appreciate and reflect its beauty WITH me!

This weekend showed me how a simple presence of ONE PERSON can make a HUGE impact on the delivery of a performance!  SUPPORT IS EVERYTHING!!!

Recently, my daughter was in a production piece that was in a theater for over a month. And I kid you not when I tell you that her FAVORITE performance was when she knew that 50+ friends showed up in the audience on her behalf!!  I know… I was there!!  The reception of the audience was amazing, and her performance delivery was exceptional!  She said it was her favorite show!

Don’t underestimate the value of your attendence in one’s life!

My weekend ended with family at the house for our regular Sunday Dinner.  Tonight was the “Live” performance of Grease with current and top notch singers/performers.  We sat and watched it together and as a family, sang our hearts out to the classic songs from the soundtrack.  It was such a fun experience sharing this time with my kids!  But at the end of the show, the live characters jumped into a tram on the lot of where they were shooting, and sang the songs as a large group.  I literally had tears in my eyes!  To think that ALL these people came together for this production and sang “AS ONE” on this tram…I was jealous that I wasn’t one of them!

It’s truly a memory they will never forget!

We are a united people.  We all want to be happy!  We WANT to love each other and be one.  And when you get these moments…. I hope you take a second to reflect on the beauty of the fact that we are all together.  And in the end want the same thing!…. well… most of us anyway!

Celebrate Unity! Celebrate Each Other!

We are all in this together!

Happy Sunday!