The Day the Music Stopped

It was over a week ago, Friday…..the day the music stopped for a friend and mentor.  Yes, she is now in the arms of final repose.  With all of her recent discomfort gone, I must believe she is now at peace.  She was my teacher, my inspiration.  She brought so much music into my life, a variety of songs and dances I would never have discovered.  The music was in her heart, in her entire being.  She was, yes, my dance teacher.  And could she dance – such grace, such fluidity, hardly ever missing a beat or missing a step.  She loved to teach, demonstrating the steps, working through the rhythm with such apparent love of process and the ultimate result.  So many different dances to all styles of music.  My mind and body were challenged.  She especially loved dances with a lot of foot work.  She had just turned 82.  I began taking her classes four years ago, and she kept on dancing until about six weeks ago.  My heart is aching, but my feet will keep on moving.  It is for her that I now dance.