Pirouette, Plie and Bloom: Finding The Gift In Family Bonding

Family Bonding Through Busy Schedules

Watching your child compete, in any sport or passion, brings on a whole rush of momma feelings. You cheer from a distance with sweaty hands, a rapid heart and pray for the best…. not #1 best…… best as in….. make this an experience that helps them build self esteem and confidence….. let them shine and impact someone’s life with their actions….. allow them to spread compassion….. let this experience be FUN! Yep, that’s this momma’s prayer. 

However, this weekend, as I supported and watched my beautiful girl work harder than I’ve ever witnessed at ID Dance Nationals, I sat back and saw this experience in a whole new light. I saw her bloom. 

Your Child’s Passion Brings Opportunity

Your child’s passion/sport, whatever your child may do, is so much larger than a win. This passion is their seed. A seed we help to plant. A seed that teaches them pieces to life. A seed that waters family bonding even with a chronic illness.

Dance brought us all together for 5 days of laughter. The kind that makes your belly jiggle, cross your legs so you don’t pee, tears rolling down your face kind of laugh. 

Dance brought 4 nights of late night chats. Chats that shared some secrets. Chats that painted pictures in our minds of grandma’s childhood and life shared with grandpa. Chats that gave advice. Chats that filled our hearts with memories. 

Dance brought many card/dice games. Games that calmed nerves. Games that showed silly competitive sides. Games that brought 3 generations together to spoil each other and let go of the seriousness life seems to bring.

Dance brought shared meals. Meals that created conversation. Meals that slowed us down to savor each bite and each other. Meals that clinked glasses with many things to “cheers” in gratitude. 

Dance brought moments in a spa. Moments to sit quietly in a himalayan salt room soaking up not only the benefits circulating in the air but the beauty of the people in the room with us. Moments to appreciate their qualities. Moments to be grateful they choose to spend their time with us. Moments to fuel our souls with their energy. 

Dance brought a stroll through a round of putt putt and petting zoo. A stroll that allowed us to feel the warmth of the sun together on our skin. A stroll that quited technology that steals precious moments without notice. A stroll that showed us that even Grandmas and Dads still like to act like a kid!

Integrity Learned through Family Bonding

Dance brought integrity. Integrity that cheered for others. Integrity that dug deep to keep going even when a body was so tired it wanted to give way to slumber. Integrity that took chances to try things never done before. Integrity that offered help. Integrity that held a head high even when things did not go exactly how it was envisioned.

Free Gifts Given Through Passions And Bonding

Yes, our dance weekend brought the gift of awards but it also helped my daughter bloom. Laughter was the soil needed to stand tall, meals provided nutrients needed to continue to grow, games became the water to saturate her roots, moments together warmed each limb to keep reaching toward the sky. The next time you have the privilege of cheering your child on, look past the tangible and find gratitude in the gifts of life. The gifts that are free. The gifts that have more value in life than the ones you place on a shelf. The gift of loving one another, supporting one another, finding laughter in the smallest moments and reuniting with family and friends.  These are the truest meanings to watching your child in the sport they love!