The Dance...

I remember the first time I ever heard this song.

Not much of a fan of country music, but this guy, Garth Brooks, had a concert playing on HBO, and well, I heard that Billy Joel made an appearance when they taped it, and, people, I just had to see my Billy...

So, with anticipation, I watched...

The only thing I remember about the two hours in front of the television?

This song.

Very rarely am I moved by something that literally carries me.

This song does that.

It is a gentle reminder that, no matter how much I'm hurting;

No matter how much I regret;

No matter where I am in life...

That my life is just as it should be.

It shakes me back into reality, making me understand that life is simply a dance...

Sometimes, we're on top of our game, on the dance floor and the world watches us in wonder...

Sometimes, we're the lonely girl in the corner without a partner...

Sometimes, we are face to face with the one we love and move together in perfect harmony and unison...

Sometimes, we're left on the dance floor alone and embarassed, exposed for all to see...

Sometimes, we dance with a stranger, and it is hard to find our footing and set the right pace...

And, sometimes, we're the girl that really just wanted to stay home and opted out of the dancing at all.

Our partners are our friends, our family, our lovers, our husbands and sometimes, complete strangers...

No one more important or less significant than the other, because they are the music to our life's dance...

And, that leaves me thinking...

What legacy do I leave behind to others in my life's dance?

I hope I dance a dance of inspiration;

Of friendship;

Of love;

Of understanding;

Of unencumbered acceptance.

I hope that my dance shows others not to be afraid;

Not to give up...

NEVER give up.

I hope that my dance shows others that you don't have to be a perfect dance partner...

You just need to laugh and enjoy it while it lasts.

I hope that my dance, although most awkward, teaches others that they can learn to enjoy it, too.

I hope that my dance shows others that, even though you may not know all the steps, get out on that dance floor and fake it 'til you make it...

Most of the dances are reptition, anyway.

I hope that my dance is remembered as one of laughter;

Of compassion;

Of heart.

I hope that my dance is, much like this song, a gentle reminder to never...

Miss the dance.