Dancing Statues

I guess you could say that I have a bit of a 'dancing statue' collection. The first one is a very small one I picked up when visiting Yo in the city a couple of years ago. Then I found a dancing couple statue, much larger, ballroom dancers; not long after, a ballet dancer pair joined the group, which sits atop the cabinet in the living room. A couple of months ago, I added a dancing girl, which doesn't fit on the top of the cabinet, but stands on the floor. Today I purchased perhaps my last dancing statue (because I don't really have any place left to put them). She is a solo ballet dancer.

As I have mentioned before, I have an extensive church collection, of every size and shape and color and style. That makes sense to me, because that is the reality of my life, where I live and move and have my being.

Dancing is definitely not the reality of my life, but it is perhaps the fantasy. If I could briefly live someone else's life, in someone else's body, it would surely be that of a dancer. I love the grace, the poise, the movement, the music, the idea of using one's body as art.

I did at one time, attempt to "marry" those two loves by participating in sacred dance numbers choreographed for church. It was too late for me for that. I was beyond having the physical ability to do the required movements--- gracefully getting up and down from a kneeling position, and twirling around.

I did find a wonderful compromise and a way to enjoy the combination of music and movement for church. I think a couple of us invented it, or at least our own version. We called it musical signing---sign language to sacred songs. It is less rigorous, but beautiful and moving. I miss it, since retiring, relocating.

Perhaps one day I'll get up the nerve, or find a way, or have an opportunity to introduce musical signing into whatever church I may be attending or serving. I would love to do that again.

It is an interesting way to do the things I love most, worship---and dance!