Grandparents...God's gift to Dancers
It is a rare person that finds success without the encouragement and support of those closest to them. For the most part, the support system of a dancer is made up of their family, both immediate and extended.
Perhaps in all of dance, there is no one more doting than a grandparent, especially the grandmother. Unlike their biological offspring, somehow a grandchild is without fault. They are the epitome of talent, beauty and grace. They cast a magic spell over their grandparents the moment they are born that will last the rest of their lives. Grandparents and grandchildren bring more joy to each other than words can say.
At performances or competitions, grandparents patiently wait for their little angels to take the stage, knowing even before they start they will be sheer perfection. I've seen more tissues pulled out by grandparents when their grandchildren perform than I can count!
They don't realize what routinely takes place backstage. They don't see the chronic competition induced mood swings. I've seen parents willing to sell their child to the highest bidder, or on worse days, pay someone to take them during routine backstage drama. As of yet, no transactions have actually taken place that I know of.
Speaking of grandparents, enter my mom and dad...... I unknowingly gave them the ultimate gift the day I enrolled my girls in dance class. It was the beginning of a journey through years of national and international competition, and performances galore throughout the United States. My mother is not living vicariously through my children, she is simply living through my children! Whether or not people want to hear about Adrienne or Ashley, chances are they will if my mom has her say. Sometimes they even get to see pictures! I remember cringing more than once as she voluntarily told random waitresses or grocery clerks what her granddaughters won at nationals. Then again, I suppose that's the privilege of being a grandparent.
My mother has a video of every dance my girls ever performed from their very first recital, to international competition and current guest performances. Not to my surprise, she has them all memorized! She had my dad put them in order on videotape with numerical cues so she can pick and choose what she wants to watch at any given time. They call it their "Anthology." Starting with 1987 when Adrienne did her first solo and Ashley was still a toddler, she can tell you every costume, every piece of music, and every move in every dance they've ever done. It's amazing .... I don't even think I could do that! My poor dad.....I think he's missed more Monday Night Football games to watch dance videos than any man ever should.
Now I often take my mom to local competitions to watch Adrienne and Ashley's students perform. Pop always has a valid (actually quite lame) excuse. My mom, on the other hand, can literally sit in one spot all day and watch every single act! I couldn't even do that when my own girls competed. I have a saturation point and she doesn't. Surprisingly, Gam really does enjoy everything. It truly amazes me. When the competition is over, she always lets me know which dances she likes, what costumes are her favorite, and volunteers her take on the outcome. I have to laugh. She has a hug for all the moms and kids from the studio and revels in their successes. After all, they are Ashley's students, and Adrienne and Ashley are perfect in her eyes.
Without asking, my mother will voluntarily tell you that she took ten years of dance when she was a child. She tapped. She still taps... anytime, anywhere - and without warning. I try to keep her on the carpet when she comes over to my house. My kids know that at any given moment, "Gam" will break into a soft shoe or waltz clog - the extended version, complete with song. God forbid she should spot a cane or a top hat nearby. She has a routine and a song to go with that too! She wouldn't know one ballet position from another, or a plie from a pique, but she can still tap up a storm and takes every opportunity to do so.
Through the years, we've taken more "road trips" with my mom and dad than I can count. There were always two extra seats in the van when we set out for nationals, or two extra plane tickets if the distance was too great to drive. We've shared rooms, meals, and countless precious memories because of the girls growing up in dance. Starting in 1985 with Adrienne first Kinderdance class and continuing to this day, I wouldn't trade these years of memories for anything in the world. Although their passion and success took me completely by surprise, dance provided the glue for three generations of family to come together with a common goal. In a world that seems to function in fast forward, times spent with the people we love are always the best times. Next to parents, grandparents are the most precious gift our children will ever receive.•