Dance Festival

Wednesday, prior to the court hearing, our elementary school had their annual Dance Festival. You know, each grade does a little dance, all the parents come to see, the teachers look relieved when it is over and the kids know that summer is coming closer.

I love the Dance Festival. When my kids first started school, I had never seen anything like it and wondered what this crazy event was, but it has grown on me each year. Now I see the fun and tradition of it and really love it.

This year as I was sitting waiting for the kids to be ready to perform, I was looking around at all the parents that were there. Lined up on blankets, strollers incarcerating smaller siblings, in folding soccer chairs, or standing using up their thirty minute break from work.

My eyes passed over so many families that I have been watching Dance Festival with for nine years. So many have been right along side that whole time. I was struck by the women I have worked with in PTA or as regular volunteers or room mothers during that time.

I have made some of the dearest friends during my service to my kids' school. These are not women I see every day, but when I do, I know they are my friends and we have similar goals and values. We hope the same things for the kids at the school and in our town.

They are women who have a smattering of personalities and gifts. They come high strung or laid back. They are each committed to seeing their kids have the best possible experience.

And when I see them at an event like Dance Festival, I sense again that they are living the same kind of reality I am day in and day out. None of them have a charmed or perfect life. Each has struggles and worries and problems. But they address those and then go about doing good.

The funny thing is that many of these women, who have served our elementary school so well, are also serving in the church and the community. They have other children at other schools and they serve there too. They remind me of the scripture that tells us " But ye, brethren, be not a weary in well doing."

I admire all of them, and love so many as dear, dear friends. I will miss them especially as I graduate from the elementary school with The Boy this year. But I am sure I will see them at the Junior High or the High School as we all grow up. And I know I am leaving my place of service at the elementary in loving and very capable hands. And that is a very good feeling.