The thrill of creating art

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of Kim and her son from last weekend's recital. In fact, this picture came from the Los Alamos Daily Post's archives but I like how it shows DALA dancers having a good time dancing away.

I've watched many ballet recitals in my time. My sister has danced since we were kids. Growing up, she performed as everything from a snowflake in "Nutcracker" productions to a mermaid in "The Little Mermaid."

I remember bobby pins and tangles of hair nets scattered throughout her bedroom and I can still recall the awe I felt as I watched Kim expertly sew those pale pink satin ribbons to her toe shoes and then flick on a lighter to burn the ribbons' edges. 

What I also remember clearly is the energy and excitement Kim exhibited when, as a teenager, she choreographed a piece for her dance studio. She would race between her stereo and a notebook to jot down notes and listen to the next segment of music. 

Creating a piece of art is a truly wonderful thrill. The only thing better is to share your creation with other people. 

Although Kim continues to dance and teach ballet, she hasn't choreographed many performances. Luckily, she got to the chance to do so for Dance Arts Los Alamos' recent recital. This time, I did not see her creative process. My only clue  about the performance  was that the dancers were parents and their children and that Kim and her oldest son were among those dancing. 

So last Saturday afternoon, I sat in a theater and watched groups of youngsters be ushered on and off stage to perform their dances. There were many little girls in fluffy tutus bobbing  their legs and raising their arms up and down. They looked so carefree; it was enough just to be up on that big stage in the spotlight. 

Then, my sister's group came on stage. They danced to The Lumineers' "Ho Hey." Parents and children appeared to glide in perfect harmony as if they really and truly did belong to each other as the song proclaims. But the sweetest moment was at very end when my nephew ran and jumped into his mother's arms and Kim spun him around. 

My mother said she cried when she watched this piece; I couldn't stop commenting about how it was the greatest one of all the dances. It was the best; really and truly the best one. 

I still stand by my claim; for what better thing is there to create and share than the love between a parent and their child?