Dance Recital: Father – Daughter Dance

Hadley Channeling her Inner Great Gatsby – Dance Recital

It is a hectic time of year with lots of things culminating. Our two active girls, have participated in dance recitals for 8 years and counting now. This is Hadley’s 3rd recital.  She has performed her 2 1/2 minutes of chaos on “the big stage” with vigor and zero apprehension .  Libby, although now retired, lead the way, for 8 years. She danced her heart out- tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical. You name it (with the exclusion of hip hop) she has been formally trained.

Recital time always was a stress for us. Not because the girls needed continuous costume changes (for two years Libby had 7),  flawless make up (which I personally hate to see on my child), perfectly coiffed un-moveable hair, or the right shoes on at the right time.  For those of you that know me, know things like this don’t rattle me.  It was because there was a Father-Daughter dance as the grand finale of each performance. No big deal, a tear induced tender moment shared between father and daughter. Who’s not up for that?  A beautiful slow-moving, step on his toes, dance memory to a classic father – daughter song, sounds sweet!  That is unless Miss Charlene is your child’s dance instructor. You see Miss Charlene’s idea of a Father – Daughter dance always consisted of a fast 5 1/2 minute celebration of the classics.  To her, the “classics” consist of MC Hammer, Michael Jackson, Vanilla Ice and Earth Wind and Fire.  Her plan was for the child to actually show their “Move Like Jagger” abilities while the dads tried to keep up. Two years ago it was 40 plus year old grown men doing the Running Man in stretch polyester MC Hammer pants and long faux gold chains to complete the visual. I will spare you that picture! Every year, Miss Charlene wanted to top the last.

Libby and Don Father – Daughter Dance

Normally I have a sense of humor about things, but asking a man with Parkinson’s disease, who innately would never qualify for a “Mirror Ball Trophy” to stand out was not a moment we relished.  At the end of the day, Don was willing and able but concerned he would embarrass his daughter. Strong words – reverse and repeat – he was worried he would embarrass his daughter because of something he has, NOT who he is.  His left hand just didn’t move – it hung close to his body and he no longer had full extension. I privately went to Miss Charlene and tried to explain our trepidation and why Don’s arm couldn’t do the Saturday Night Fever, Staying Alive move.  She wasn’t worried about it, so, we soldiered on.  In true Horton fashion, hours were spent learning, re-learning, reviewing film and rehearsing.  Libby and Don exhausted many more hours practicing than were required and in the end it only brought them closer.

Hadley Dance Recital 2012

I was thankful the auditorium was dark as night because Miss Charlene did evoke tears from me while the rest of the audience cheered.  At first, for the fact that we were different from every other family.  Honestly, sometimes it breaks my heart where the kids are concerned. We understood that this was supposed to be a special moment but I know for Libby and Don it was a little stressful for reasons her peers just couldn’t process.  As I looked at the stage it was hard not to notice that we stood out.  Don’s moves not in synch sometimes with his fellow cohorts but at some point my tears turned into extreme pride.  Libby and her dad doing it…. not letting anything stop them from participating.  I have to believe, later in life, when Libby reflects on these experiences, it will mean more to her than I am able to describe.  We DO stand out.  We WILL make a difference. We say it all the time, that we won’t let Parkinson’s define us and in these instances, both of them persevered together.

Libby and Don – Father – Daughter Dance

We will have to preserve that tender father – daughter slow dance for another time.