Monday, May 4, 2009

Happy Dance

My daughter has an adorable habit of spontaneous dancing. Whenever she hears music -- any music -- she will usually stop what she's doing and start to groove. (She's been known to draw a crowd in malls and at the Farmer's Market.) Here, we were walking around the little park at the bottom of Via del Rey. We heard the Beatles filtering out of a nearby open window . My girl took it as an opportunity to bust a few moves.

Parents marvel at how quickly our children grow and change. One moment the baby starts crawling --you blink, and suddenly she's off twirling around in the back yard. How does it happen so fast? Childhood's score offers no pause, no fermata to let the recent notes fully resonate. I suppose that's part of the beauty of its melody. It's fast-paced and fanciful.

Today is my sweet girl's fourth birthday. I can think of no better wish for her future than this: that she'll always listen for the music ... and take the time to dance.

Happy birthday, my quick-stepping little sweet pea!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to your daughter. Wait, one day you will turn around and she will be 50.

Dixie Jane said...

Happy Birthday to my granddaughter who has dance in her genes. Someone has said, "You can't be sad when you are dancing." Bless this happy child.

Mister Earl said...

"...always listen for the music ... and take the time to dance."

As one who always does, take it from me, it never has to stop... even in the Starbucks line. Happy Birthday to her!

Sharon said...

Happy Birthday to the four year old! May she burst into spontaneous dance for many years to come.

Hilda said...

She must be such a joy to watch when she does that. I hope she never stops dancing either, even when she's old and we're long gone.

Happy birthday to your daughter!

Cafe Pasadena said...

Happy 4th on de 4th 2 your growing baby!! She gets birthday gifts everyday: you & her dad.

Judy Williams said...

YAY Birthday Girl. I hope she has a wonderful day.

Love the V that is created by her body as it meets her shadow. We should all dance a little more.

GET DOWN ON IT

Jean Spitzer said...

Happy birthday and mazel tov!

Trish said...

happy birthday to the dancing queen.

I hope she learns she can keep dancing all her years and not to worry about what people might think about her breaking into spontaneous jig.

So glad you're using the park, for too many years people have just seen it as a pretty lead into the Altos and nothing more.

-K- said...

This reminds of something from Lesley Taplin, who died just a few weeks ago. (You can google her for more on her life.)

"For several years now I have been "operating" on the principle that the future is unknowable, but my obligations to the future are to be as "present" every day as I possibly can be. To do what I can in the areas I've defined as ones I can contribute to for the betterment of this world, to stay as genuinely happy as possible, to help those nearest and dearest in need, to read a little and think a little and dream a little, and never give up on Love. And if I do that every day, then I will have done whatever I can to insure the best possible future for not only myself but those around me. That's what I personally intend to continue doing, those are my own "marching orders", and none of that really depends on money..."
~Lesley Gilb Taplin, March 2, 2009

Linda Dove said...

Love that picture! Those boots are perfect for dancing legs...happy bit-day to her!

Margaret said...

I hope your birthday wish is always granted. And happy birthday to your little bit.

dbdubya said...

Happy Birthday to the Dancing Princess.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday sweet pea. You are a vision of loveliness.

Double "D" said...

Hi Laurie,

We have three grandchildren under the age of 6.
Any music anywhere causes a whole lotta shakin going on. If only life were as innocent as they make it seem.
Love em at that age, well any age.

Mister Earl said...

"Yes to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free..."

- Bob Dylan

Anonymous said...

Lovely. And how the shadow seems to be so still as your daughter is in motion.

Shanna said...

I was out of battery power in the camera when Little Bit did a perfect pirouette for me in the garden yesterday, so no photo, but what a thrill!!!

TheChieftess said...

Those boots were made for dancin'!!!

May she dance on all her birthdays!!!

Laurie Allee said...

Hello folks!

Thanks so very much for all of the sweet birthday wishes for my little dancing girl. I don't usually use GOSP for personal posts but on birthdays and anniversaries -- all bets are off!

Kevin, you brought me to tears with that amazing passage from Leslie Gilb Taplin. Thank you.

And Mister E, I love the Dylan too.

Abe, it's funny you should mention that one day I'll turn around and she'll be fifty. I have felt so melancholy about this birthday because it seems like she's growing up SO FAST! I was reminded of the wonderful song, Turn Around -- seen here in the famous lump-in-the-throat Kodak ad from the sixties, but recorded better by Rosemary Clooney.

You people are extraordinarily wonderful. Until tomorrow...

Petrea Burchard said...

Happy belated birthday to Raine! (My mother used to call me Sweet Pea, too.)

Anonymous said...

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Thank you very much...

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