“If you mess up, don’t stop dancing”

I am listening to the chattering and giggling of hundreds of little girls and a few wonderfully brave boys. From age 5 to 18, the kids are smiling. They are happy and nervous - all starting to feel the butterflies in their stomachs. I hear no cursing, I see no pushing, I am filled with joy. Brianna peeks back to make sure I am still here. A quick wink and smile comforts her fears. I wave to some of the other kids’ mom’s across the auditorium and hear a tiny dancer ask Brianna if she is adopted. Maybe not, but my pride for my little girl is beaming as bright as all the other moms. She now knows what it feels like to truly dedicate her self to something. She did not get a prize, money or candy, but the smile that she can’t hold in as she dances across the stage lets me know that this is far better than all that. She gets it.