When we started the dance we were too young to know what to do. Most had parents or someone to help them with all the moves and rules of etiquette that we would need to continue as the dance went on. So we danced
It seemed at times everyone was laughing and at other times everyone was crying. There was fear on the faces of many that they would be tapped on the shoulder next and be pulled from the dance. Many of our loved ones were pulled out way to early; we were so enjoying their company and learning from them, new steps through their advice and observing them. So we danced
At times physical pain would enter in, you didn’t think you could take one more step, but there was always someone there pushing you on, cheering for you, so we danced
Several seemed to have it all, the beautiful costumes, the majority of supporters (family and friends) while others had very little. Their clothes mostly worn out, not many cheering them on and it seemed many of those were tapped out the earliest. We were somewhere in the middle, not the most glorious no the shabbiest, we just were. So we danced.
When we got a break it was to sleep, to relax our tired aching muscles and sometimes get more advice on ways around the obstacles, The breaks never seemed to last long and for many the rest didn’t come. So we danced
More music, more steps, more self-doubt, and many times more wishing the dance was done. We changed partners, we taught others, and we worked with friends. And yet it often times felt so lonely and depressing. I saw very few just quit, most fought through the pain until they were tapped on the shoulder and had to leave. It was so hard watching them go, knowing how much they would be missed. And how much they had added to our own dance. It seems they would want us to kept trying, to finish the dance the way we should. So we danced
As the dance goes on I see that the ones I thought had it all were no different then the rest of us, it just shocked them more when they were chosen to go. Even with all their comforts and all the glitz they could afford, didn’t help with this dance. So we danced
So we kept dancing. We watch as one by one our family and friends were tapped out, but we stayed strong and kept dancing. Now we are feeling the pain, the agony fills us to the bone. If one of us falls out we will be given a replacement partner. The ups and downs, the struggle to keep going, and the suffered pain for those we love that were already taken. The laughter, the joys of new entries, the friendships made, the smiles on people’s faces helped us with each one. So we danced.
I can’t tell you how or when this dance will end, for it is our lives and to that end we do not know. We only know if we stop dancing, we will be tapped out. So we dance.
Written by DistressedMom
