Father-Daughter Dance '04

(Rob:) Last night was the Visitation School 2004 Father-Daughter Dance and man was it a blast! Tessa Jean was all gussied up with a new peach dress and mascara on her new long eyelashes and her hair was all curled up, and she looked just beautiful!

Susan took some really cool pictures that I made into a little 30-second movie:
Click here
(If you have trouble watching it, you probably need to download Quicktime, which you can get for free at this site:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/)

The dance was at the school gymnasium, which was all decked-out with mirror balls and colored lights. I think there was a "70's" theme because some of the kids were wearing afro wigs and tye-dyed shirts.The kids were all very shocked at Tessa's appearance, because her leg brace wasn't visible under her poofy taffeta skirt. Some girls asked if she left the brace at home, and one girl flopped right down on the floor and looked up her dress trying to find it!

Ordinarily at the Father-Daughter Dance the girls immediately abandon their dads, kick off their shoes and begin running at high speeds in serpentine human chains, screaming all the while and flailing their arms chaotically above their heads in glee for three hours straight. The decibel level remains constant, accentuated at times if the DJ selects a Brittney Spears song or the Monkees song from "Shrek". I was a little apprehensive this year because I knew Tessa Jean wouldn't be able to do all of that. She had even considered staying home this year because she thought she might be too sad about not being able to keep up with the bedlam while having to rely on her crutches to get around.

We arrived a little bit late, found some chairs and sat down with some sodas. Tessa's friends Erin and Abbey came over to visit for a while before the pull of the dance floor became too strong.

We sat there watching the dancers and eating pizza, and I could tell it was going to be a long night for her
if we didn't figure out a way to dance. Just then the DJ put on "YMCA" and we couldn't stand it anymore! We went out and found a safe place on the side of the dance floor right in front of the mirror ball and stayed there most of the rest of the night dancing. She found a way to stand with her weight on her left leg and balance without crutches, freeing up her hands for the interpretive arm moves and such.

We danced until her feet hurt, then we rested for a while and danced some more! My dancing style incorporated some cool "playing the crutch like a guitar" moves that were a big hit with the crowd, I think. Being a nervous dad, it was a fairly nerve-wracking experience to watch. I was constantly aware of her leg being exposed to the 90 m.p.h. conga lines that would pass closely by, then return at regular intervals like a comet on a tight elliptical orbit, occasionally spinning off a little pastel-colored whirling dervish that would crash into the chair I had set up to run interference. Aside from a few near-misses, no one was hurt (which, unfortunately, is more than can be said for the "Grandparents Day" celebration at school earlier in the day, which required at least one ambulance visit for reasons unknown.)

After the last song, we went out to Winstead's for malts and fries with the some of the girls and dads and then came home and went to sleep. Quite an event, and one I know we'll long remember!

************************************************************
• Daily Movie Quote:
"That is one *nutty* hospital."

-- Yesterday's answer: "The Graduate" (1967)

Uncle Tom coo-coo-ca-chooses the right answer!

• Daily Obscure Song Lyric:
"For one so small,
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry"

-- Yesterday's answer: "Girl of the North Country" (1963) by famous Minnesotan Bob Dylan
(No correct guesses)

Comments

[Abbey]

Hey guys
The song lyric is ' You'll Be in my heart" from
Tarzan.(I am listining to it right now)
I am glad you came to my first Eucharist party.

Your special friend,
Abbey

[Gramma Judy]

I am speechless. I have never seen a more beautiful 7 year old girl in my life. You looked absolutely magnificent! I loved your dress, your hair, your shoes, your eyelashes, your everything! But most of all I loved your spirit! It's easy to give up when things are tough, but not you. You went to that dance looking fantastic and feeling determined to have a good time, and my guess is you and your dad had the best time ever and that you were the stars of the evening! I am soooo proud of you -- and your dad, too.

The movie was awesome. You could be a professional model! Wow! I love the song your dad picked, too. You are pretty darn lucky to have a dad who loves you as much as he does.

Wow! I am still thinking of your photos, etc., so it is hard to write about anything else!

I will just tell you that great-grandpa Fritz left today and he has probably already landed in Kansas City. I think he really enjoyed his trip, and it was nice having him here.

That's all for today. I still can't get over how beautiful and grown up you look in the photos.
My favorite granddaughter is growing up sooo fast!

I love you very much and I am so glad you and your dad had such a super time.

See you soon ...
Gramma Judy

[Zanny]

Dear Tessa,

What a triumph! Remember when you were sad in Baltimore, and we talked about how someday it would all be worth it because you would be able to go to your prom in regular shoes and dance the night away just like the other kids? Who could have imagined that you would find a way to do just that even WITH your leg brace still ON! You are an inspiration to everyone who ever got discouraged or sad that something just was not going quite right. You made delicious lemonade from some awfully sour lemons last night, and most everyday since your operation. I am so very proud to know you and to call you my niece. Have a great day! Tell your Dad I loved the movie. So sweet!

I love you and miss you!
Aunt Zanny