Bittersweet

Last Saturday I had the opportunity of stopping by the Festival of Trees in Salt Lake and seeing some of my former dancers perform. I will hold my comments on most of the show, being that I am just highly critical when it comes to dance. The last dance number however was a group that consisted of ALL my former dancers. (Not all my dancers but all the dancers in the class were my former students.) As soon as they began, there were whoops and hollers from the audience. They were upbeat, exciting and TALENTED! They were clogging! They were doing difficult steps, and using so much energy, they really put on a good show. I was almost filled with tears just watching them. At then end of their dance everyone was cheering! They were clearly the best of the night.

I was happy to be able to talk to a few of them and also glad I got to talk to their current teacher, Gregg Crockett. He is doing an amazing job with them. I am so thrilled to know that they found a teacher that they can continue with and who is skilled enough to take them as far as they want to go. I am excited to know that they are going to be competing too!

So that is the sweet part.

However

On the way home, I will admit, I could not fight back the tears. I miss those kids soooooo bad!!! While I am so relieved to know that I did in fact teach them something that impacted their lives, I can't help but realize that I am now completely out of the loop. While I can see so many blessings this move has brought to my life, I still can't help but miss so many things about the old life. I am no longer Miss Amidey. I don't have little girls running up to me at church and hugging my legs. I no longer create magnificent recitals that although are a HUGE pain, there is a huge sense of accomplishment that comes when it is done. I have 13 amazing recitals on DVD that sit on a shelf. And no, I don't really want to start again, at least not at this point.

It brings me so very much joy to see these kids moving forward. They took something that I gave them and they are making it even greater. What I did meant something to them. I think that is the biggest compliment anyone could pay me.

So for my former students, they are moving forward in a direction I started them in. And for me? I am moving forward too. I'm not exactly sure where this path is leading me, the Lord hasn't revealed that yet. Maybe I can help in a way unexpected or maybe there is someone who will help me learn something new. Surely life will bring a bit of both.

I guess in life we need all flavors. And although I miss it, the memories I have with those kids are sweet. The hope for their future is very sweet. And hopefully there are some more sweets in store for my future as well.