I Hope You’ll Dance!

My children have always been the most cherished part of my life, my defining moments, my love, my joy, my reasons for it all.

My son is leaving for war tomorrow. As a little kid he used to move his plastic soldiers across huge maps of the World I had bought for him. When he was a teenager he went to the Citadel Summer camp every summer and at 16 he became a counselor there. He later attended The Citadel, where he was a Summerall Guard and had several significant leadership positions. After graduating magna cum laude from the Citadel he enlisted in the Marines. After six months at Quantico he was commissioned as an officer. As he reminded me a few weeks ago, he is first a Marine, then an officer.

If I had it my way, war would be fought with paint guns. I am probably the least military person you’ll ever meet. I wasn’t happy about his decision to join the Marines, but I encouraged him to follow his heart anyway. God, that was hard to do! As parents, that is our main job: to encourage each child’s individuality to blossom, in spite of our own proclivities and fears.

My son is going to war tomorrow. He will be joining the many honorable young men and women serving our country. This is my son’s decision. I raised him to follow his heart. “I Hope You’ll Dance!” depicts exactly what I’ve always tried to instill in my children. Follow your heart, dedicate yourself with abandon to your particular calling and allow your destiny to unfold. I have to remind myself of this, as I swallow my tears and give my son a proud salute farewell.

Mirela Alex &; Amanda = nucleus of my heart!