The Dance Class

My granddaughter Jasmin spent two hours a day last week in a wonderful class named "Art & Dance Extravaganza". The small group of participants built a village of clay, painted and collaged several pieces of colorful art, and choreographed and performed an amazing dance. All the elements came together in a celebration of life. What made it special was that some children were physically handicapped and yet they joyfully joined in. How touching it was to see a loving mother carry her son with Down Syndrome on her back to enable him "to dance".

At the end of the class the teacher and her assistant sat the children in a circle and allowed them to reach into a bag and take out a gift wrapped in tissue paper. Each gift was a smooth pebble with one word carved into surface - Jasmin's word was HOPE. This incredibly patient and talented teacher told the class that this dance was "their dance". Never performed by anyone else, at any other time, or in any other place, it belonged only to each of them. Those words truly touched my soul....................these are words that make a difference in a child's life. The world needs more teachers like this.