Annie Holshouser, our daughter, was our “lady dancing” all her life!  She was born to move, born with rhythm, and can remember any pattern you throw at her!  She danced from age three to …well…she still dances! I hope she always will! 

Max and I were blessed in that both of our daughters were musically talented in several different ways. Instrumentally, voice, dance—it allowed us to see and hear many wonderful performances over the years, from childhood recitals through college!

But that Annie, she was the dancer!  From ballet, to tap, to modern, jazz, and ballroom!  You should  be so lucky as to see this young lady do the tango, it was so steamy, I thought I’d  have to leave the auditorium! I am her mother after all! I was never like that, so I cannot claim credit for her talent, shucks, but I can certainly enjoy it and revel in the memories.

Of course, all of us parents are proud to see our kids on stage participating where their talents lead them. (or perhaps on the ball field?)  and I’m sure we all have our stories, but I do remember when she was just 12 or perhaps 13, and had enrolled in her first jazz dance class .  I stayed to observe, usually discouraged by Annie, LOL, but realized  immediately why I probably shouldn’t have. There’s my precious, sweet, innocent little girl, right, all impulse and movement, lightening speed and grace, but what do I see?  Here’s this middle-aged dancer/coach having them parade around the studio, with one huge wall mirrored, saying “Strut ladies! Strut, show what God gave you! “   You are kidding me! It was all I could do not to walk out there and jerk my child right off that dance floor! My little girl didn’t “strut”…what was wrong with her! ? LOL But I didn’t , and she survived the class only to be even more graceful! It’s hard for a momma lion to let her cubs go!                    

You see the picture of Annie, about age 10, “dancing like no one is watching”—in her nightgown no less! That was our life with her, from the time she was three until the present, she’s rarely far from moving to the music! And of course , she had to grow up, moved into ballroom dancing and enjoyed her galas and balls! Keep on dancing my darling!

But wait, I haven’t shown you nine ladies dancing, but hmmm…look below, you have a treat!  Merry Christmas everybody, on this ninth day of Christmas, and still the beginning of a brand new year, I encourage you to go ahead and move to the music  yourself! That’s right, turn it up loud, let it all hang out, smile, grin, laugh out loud! Make a joyful noise!