Ice Dancing - Athleticism, Grace and Joy

Cristina was diagnosed with leukemia in September, 1994. One of the first interesting "coincidences" was that there were a lot of programs on tv about people climbing Mount Everest. Climbing into what is called the "dead zone." This is where there is virtually no oxygen and without oxygen masks, most people would die. I watched these programs all the time. I felt like I, too, was climbing Everest into the dead zone. I knew that my daughter's illness and transplant would be a very challenging experience. That both of us would be going to places we had never been before. Watching all the climbers on Everest somehow helped me have courage and it also felt like I was seeing the journey I was soon to be embarking on. Going to some place that would challenge every aspect of who I am, what I believed and how much courage and perseverence I would be able to find within myself.

At the same time, winter was approaching and Ice Dancing/Skating was on tv also. I had not been really that interested in it before, but as I started watching it, the beauty, joy, athletic prowess and the thrill of watching world champions compete helped fill my heart and eyes with some of their joy. It was also important for me to see that these world champions could/would fall down, get back up and continue right on with their program. Again, courage was part of why I loved watching the ice dancing. For that time I was watching it, I could completely lose myself in the beauty.

I always had in mind that whatever beauty I could tap into, I would store up in myself to help Cristina. There are great differences between climbing Mt. Everest and Ice Dancing, but there are also similarities... courage, joy of victory, pushing yourself further than you ever thought you could go, facing a challenge, learning about yourself.

I've become a Mt. Everest climbing Ice Dancer! ha, ha