When I was in Raleigh 2 weeks ago I got to see Diva dance for the first time…EVER. And I got to go to one of Trouble’s baseball games. They don’t read this religiously – which is good since I don’t really censor myself at times and post questionable content for a pre-teen/barely a teen audience…but I know when I post something relevant, Noble shares it with them. I haven’t written about their performances, and I can only hope that they didn’t read too much into it.
I’m a big believer in dreaming big. Something I’ve tried to live by since college, and something I’ve tried to burrow into Diva and Trouble’s heads. For years now, I’ve signed my postcards from around the world, “Dream BIG, Study Hard” – and I find myself gradually shifting to a new tag line for them – but it has yet to be unveiled.
Anyhow, the day started with Trouble’s baseball game. He mostly plays catcher – but as it is little league, he moves around when he’s not behind home plate. He has recently disclosed to me that he wants to be a MLB catcher – to which I say – “Go for it!” He has moments of brilliance, and moments of being 11. That laser like determination isn’t an unwaivering determination yet – but it’ll get there as Trouble learns more skills and gets older. The potential is there…he just needs help lighting the spark…that spark that wills you to stand at the ready – to be the wringer, 150% in, because at that point you’re all heart when you’re on the field. When Trouble is brilliant, he’s playing with that kind of passion – but when it waivers, you’re reminded that the band is still in its garage phase. To Trouble I say – remember the spark – light it up – because anything is possible.
After lunch Diva was up. The stage was set for a Celestial themed performance. She was in 4 pieces – and one of them was her first performance on pointe. She wants to be a dancer when she grows up – a ballet dancer…feet be damned. She has told me on more than one occasion that she is more than willing to sacrifice her feet for the art. Ballet dancers notoriously have the ugliest feet you’ve ever seen. Years of standing on your toes will do that to them.
Diva was fantastic. Really. I never falsely praise anything – so I can tell you I really mean it. Granted I’m not trained to be able to see how technically abled she is, but I can see that she is a performer. Stage presence is something you can’t teach. Can I tell if she has the feet for it? Not really – but that’s what her teachers are for…and from what I’ve heard they believe she has what it takes to dance professionally if she chooses to. So now, it’s time for the hard work. The workshops, the relentless training, the determination and the passion to take over. Next summer she wants to go to a ballet camp in Michigan – and I hope she decides to spend a summer in Chicago at the Joffrey. I’ve been told she was offered a spot this year, but not a scholarship – so she opted out. Not everyone gets into the summer intensives…so obviously the teachers see her potential, even though Diva claims to have tanked her audition. After only a year of being on pointe she has come a long way. Still a long way to go – but nevertheless, I’m super proud of her.
I gave Diva a potted plant of light purple bud like flowers, called a Nokia after her performance. They were so cute in its little pot – and I thought it would be a nice reminder of the first time she performed on pointe. What did Trouble get? Well, Noble and I are trying to figure out when they can come to Chicago this summer to catch a Cubs game. I live so close to Wrigley you can spit on it – so we figured we have to strike while the opportunity presents itself. He’ll make out like a bandit – the baby always does. And I hope that I can send for Diva and Trouble to take them to the Joffrey when the season is under way. We’ll have to play it all by ear in the coming months…
In the mean time – Diva and Trouble have picked expensive sports. I think it runs in the family. Between Huah and myself – my parents just gasp at the amount of money that goes in to fueling our obsessions…and we never pursued it on the elite level that Diva and Trouble are aiming for. Along with the dreaming big – I’ve always believed that money is never an issue. If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way. By either making it the old-fashioned way, going out there to find those scholarships, or working hard enough to earn a merit scholarship based on performance. It’s all possible – it just really depends on what you believe is possible, and how hard you’re willing to work for it.
So Diva and Trouble…it’s time to work for it. #138 A dream without a goal is just a wish. Go out and get what you want – you know I’ll be behind you 100%.
Tagged: dance, dauntless, family, kids, lessons learned, sports
