The future has slowed down a little. I got a glimpse of it tonight. A preview. A snippet. It materialized in front of me at a dance for elementary school kids.
My oldest, after spilling hot chocolate on her shirt and getting grass stains on her knees after school, begged me to take her home so she could change for the dinner/dance at her school. She slipped into a red sateen blouse and skirt, black tights and her best shoes. A first-grader.
When we walked into the cafeteria, the music was bumpin’. The DJ was spinin’ Top-40 hits. Seven-year-olds were break dancin’. Boys and girls snaked around the dance floor in a mock conga line. I even thought I saw a little slam dancin’ goin’ on.
A roar went up for “One, Two Step” by Ciara. For the kids, exhilaration. My three-year-old was even singing “Let’s Get It Started” by the Black Eyed Peas in my ear as I held her ‘cause she was too afraid of the darkness in the cafeteria and the loud music. Even she managed to shake it like a Polaroid picture for awhile.
We squeezed in some chicken and rice and a few bites of cake. But the dancing was the attraction.
I love the fact my first-grader was so into it. Not shy, but a little cautious, she was so excited. I lost her for a few moments as she dashed off into the crowd. But it made me feel good.
I didn’t dance of course ‘cause I’m still nursing an aching foot (I’m icing it right now, honey). But I was proud to be able to take her to her first dance.
I hope it won’t be my last with her.