I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! What with the cleaning, baking, cooking, and dining, I'm off to hit the treadmill with a vengeance. Before I go, however, let me explain these pointe shoes and the title of this post. The Chacotts above were the first pointe shoes my daughter ever wore. (She's had many pairs since.) We took this picture before she had the chance to work in them, before the ribbons were even sewn on. Before the blisters and the lost toe nails. Before the inside of the shoes became stained with her blood. Ever heard the saying, "Beautiful dancers have ugly feet"? It's so true. My little firebrand is my hero. I'm buying her red silk pointe shoes for Christmas because they represent how she dances. Blazing and vibrant.
Amazing what a person is willing to endure for what they love.
Last night, we watched Youtube clips of dancer Natalia Osipova. Her feet moved almost faster than my eye could follow. Like hummingbird wings. Obviously, Ms. Osipova worked many years to achieve her level of skill.
Humbled and inspired by this experience, I've decided that I won't complain about writing anymore. It's a challenge I can deal with. The writing journey has pitfalls and disappointments, and while my feet are not bloodied, sometimes it does feel as though my heart is battered. But, this passion is mine. This journey is mine. I do it because I love it.
The joys outweigh the cost, wouldn't you agree?
Well said!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great message! I would've never survived if I tried to be a ballerina. Thanks for sharing, I'll try to not complain either. :)
ReplyDeletedefinitely and i feel very grateful for my passion.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter sounds amazing - just like mum!
ReplyDeleteOh but how true though! You gotta squeeze blood sweat and tears for your art and sacrifice so much for very little or none at all in return!!
Thank heavens for chocolate and wine!
Take care
x
Red pointe shoes. You are a pretty amazing Mom. Ballet is one of the most beautiful artforms. What many people don't realize is what an athletic challenge it is, as well.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. And I am loathe to complain about any activity I can do in my bunny slippers.
ReplyDeleteI can't dance a lick but in school, I had a friend who did almost every kind of dancing there was.
ReplyDeleteShe, too, had bloodied feet. She went on to win Miss Dance of NC and SC and did choreography in Los Angeles for several years.
I admire your daughter's passion and I love how you compare it with writing. Great post!
Beautiful post. I danced for many, many years and bloodied many a pair of pointe shoes (and had planters warts on my toes frozen and removed, ugh!), but my memories of that time are all good ones. I do not have the natural grace that my own dancing daughter has, but I stuck with it and learned a lot about perseverence. That is a lesson I continue to learn as I write...
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful way of making connections. :)
ps - I had a puzzle when I was younger of all different colored pointe shoes. I would have died for a pair of red satin ones! Your daughter is a lucky girl. Mine is not anywhere near pointe yet at 8, and is leaning more toward jazz and tap, but we did get her a signed pair of pointe shoes from a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet when we took her there once. She was so excited :)
ReplyDeleteLoved this Roxie. And the picture of the dancing shoes reminds me of one of my favorite childhood books of all time, "on Your Toes, Susie."
ReplyDeleteOne of the best analogies for writing I've ever read. Anything worth doing well means many hours of practice. At least my feet still look the same. So far.
ReplyDeleteLove this post :)
ReplyDeleteI do agree, Roxy. People will endure anything for what they love.
ReplyDeleteJai
What a great analogy! I think it is especially true, in that great writing and great dancing both have to give the impression of effortlessness.
ReplyDeleteJust like great dancing, great writing has to appear effortless and unforced. As if it was the most natural thing in the world. And belie the hours of editing, cutting, culling, torment and anguish over the significance of particular words used.
Rock On! Passion is what ultimately makes the world go around. Keep up the writing and we will keep stopping by.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful and very true. Thanks and keep writing. You're the best.
ReplyDeleteYes! Great comparison and story about your daughter and her damaged, dancing feet. When I compare the exercise of writing to the practicing of piano, I give myself more grace for imperfections and time to develop excellence.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. There can be a lot of pain and heartache doing what you love, but if you have a passion for something, it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic way to put it. Now that I think of it that way, all the pain and rejection is worth it. You're right, this is what we love.
ReplyDeleteEnduring the challenge makes the success that much sweeter.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that we can learn from our children's passions and commitment to master something.
ReplyDelete