sweet caroline

dance season 2017-18 is coming to a close this year.  today d is rocking out her final performances at her end of year recital.

it never disappoints to see my girl on stage.  she shines.  she displays a confidence that i didn't know she had.  she puts her sass into her hip-hop, her elegance into her ballet, and her eyes and smile radiate when she dances her lyrical number.  jumping into the competitive dance arena was a weird one.  i am not exactly savvy in this department.

but sometimes, you don't have to be savvy.  sometimes you just need a friend by your side as you figure it all out.

when d and i jumped into this dance story, a friend emerged.  the momma held my hand as i learned about sock buns and fake eyelashes.  we laughed at the comedy that ensued as i took on these new tasks.  she showed me the ropes to managing dance costume bags and rolled eyes together as we paid the bill for this sport that our daughters adore.  she was my person.

her daughter is d's person.  and ironically, also p's person.

you see, sweet caroline dances with d and was in the same class (a while back) with p.  and this precious friendship emerged.  as sisters, my girls learned how to navigate sharing a friend.  i knew when p was born just a year after her sister that there would come a time  when the friendship circles might overlap.  c was the perfect person to learn to navigate this with.  she just fell into place.  she is such a special girl.  for the last two years she has been d's go-to concerning all things dance.  they hang together between dances at competitions, make up dances when they have play dates, rehearse together and critic each others dance moves.  at the same time, she is still super tight with p.  pops knows that she can share her with her sister and has never once felt like her toes were being stepped on or her feelings were not considered.  it has been lovely to watch and has made me pause multiple times over the year to celebrate how sweetly they have all handled this.

today we say goodbye to them as their family moves onto their next chapter.  they will love their next adventure and we will be fine.  i know.  but today it stings just a wee bit.  my heart nearly burst as they danced their final number together.  it was too much for this momma's heart.

the song that these girls danced together to for lyrical had me from listen one.  it is a remake of an r. kelly song and oh so very beautiful.  it is a good send off message for our sweet caroline.  i know she will rock boise with all of her sass, but if she is ever feeling even a bit overwhelmed or scared, i hope she remembers these lyrics.

I am a mountain,
I am a tall tree, oh
I am a swift wind
Sweeping the country

I am a river,
Down in the valley, oh
I am a vision
And I can see clearly

If anybody asks you who I am, just stand up tall, look 'em in the face and say

I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that mountain peak up high
Hey I made it, hmm
I'm the worlds greatest

I'm that little bit of hope
When my back's against the ropes
I can feel it, hmm
I'm the worlds greatest

I am a giant
I am an Eagle oh
I am a lion
Down in the jungle
I am a marching band
I am the people oh
I am a helping hand
I am a hero

it is a song about confidence and knowing who you are and belief and overcoming obstacles and something that matters to me so very much... strength.  

we are so thankful for the time that we were able to spend with them, know them and dance on the same stage together.  it is a hard chapter for me to close, but one that d, p and i will remember forever.