Monday, May 14, 2012

A late mother's day post


I'm not really cut out to be a dance mom.  Sure, I can put on the false eyelashes ( a proud moment when your 9 year old sports her first pair of false eyelashes) accompanied by my obligatory spiel about beauty on the inside far outweighing beauty on the outside while cussing up a blue streak when the damn lashes get stuck to my thumb and her nose simultaneously.  And I can pin up this hairpiece and watch in awe as it goes flying off her head in the middle of the competition.  The only one out of her troupe who lost her head piece.  She bravely danced on and assured me that her team got extra points for "overcoming adversity."


Then it struck me.  I am the adversity my daughter has to overcome.  She has already learned the art of rolling her eyes when I dance, sing, or tell jokes.  I have not been able to overcome my irritation or really my arrogance around this sport even though Tracie has been trying to get me to fly right about this for years.  I can't help but notice when the MC asked the girls on stage what they wanted to be when they grow up, they responded with "dancer" or "hairdresser."  Every single one of them.  The thing is, what I really don't want my daughter to grow up as is as judgmental as her mom.  Still, I'm going to be happier if she is a marine biologist (her answer had she been asked) because I think there is more longevity in a field that focuses on the intellect rather than on the physical.


I am what I am, as was my mother and my grandmother.  They let me wear white go-go boots and a red satin tuxedo short set, along with a white cowboy hat and red feather plume as captain of my high school flag squad.  Now that my friends, is a sport.  May we all overcome the adversity that is our parents and become that adversity for our children.  May it surely include some inappropriate garb and a few late nights.  Happy mother's day to you all.


2 comments:

  1. She can be a marine biologist AND a dancer. The 2 are not mutually exclusive (from one who tap danced and taught school up until a few years ago).

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