The Day She Danced

From the moment she walked through the tall black gate, clinging tightly to her older brothers hand, to the moment she walked out of it into her fathers arms and is lifted up onto the front of the dusty motorcycle; she's silent. Reach out a friendly hand to greet her and she'd immediately pull away or let out a tiny scream. Encourage her to dance, run or even walk and she'd stick her fingers in her mouth and take the tiniest painfully, slowest steps in whichever direction the activity was. Her smile remained ever elusive and her lips sealed in a permanent frown it seemed as words were kept from rising by her tiny fingers constantly pressed to her lips.

Day after day I greeted her with a cheerful smile, kissing and hugging her older siblings and hoping that as I moved to embrace her today she'd accept it. But no, today was not that day as she dodged my arms and continued walking to breakfast; though I thought I saw a twinkle in her eye that I had not seen before as I turned to carry the little backpacks that dangled from my arms. I held on to this little glint of hope as I continued with my day and as her class joined me in the front for chalk I watched as she stuck close to another two year old who is also very quiet. I watched as they sat down together and than watched each other making tiny marks on the cement; and then it happened! Her hand came down from it's perch on her lips and a giggle erupted that hushed all the other sounds of the yard; I sat there grinning from ear to ear, calling both little girls names and trying to get more laughs from them.

The next morning I greeted her and she didn't run or doge my arms, she didn't hug back or look at me but I held her close for a moment. That day dance was scheduled and I couldn't wait to see what God had in store. I worked with my first two classes and several of them were showing great improvement! As I watched the line of 2 year-olds came through the little white gate to the front yard singing their ABC's in both English and French. And there she was my little caterpillar; hands out of her mouth singing a couple letters here and there.

We danced to Cat and Mouse and I watched as she tiptoed and froze, twirled quickly and waited for the rest to catch up! I was beaming!!!! She'd never participated in this dance other than to shuffle her feet and walk around! She'd been watching and learning the whole time!!!! As we asked the Cat to come play I watched her lips move and repeat the words, I couldn't hear her tiny voice but it was beautiful none the less!

Anxiously I pulled out my long red river, the children moved into a long line and when their turn comes they have to stand in first position with their hands up in order to run and jump over it. Several of the children can now go to first position on their own which is awesome and so encouraging. One by one I called each child by name to step forward and go to first position. My little caterpillar was second to the last; as her turn came I looked her in the eyes with a big smile and asked her to go to first position, her little black Mary Janes with white frilly socks wiggled around for a second and then went to first, I couldn't help it, I squealed "BON TRAVAY!" (good work) I placed a hand on her shoulder and told her to run and jump high for me and away she ran, her little red and black tulled "Christmas" dress rustling as her feet left the ground and her little white, flowered clips in her hair bouncing as she ran and jumped for the very first time! Both of the teachers and I shouted and cheered for her loudly and clapped; the biggest smile I have ever seen erupted as she shyly tried to hide it with her tiny hand her face simply shining with happiness.

I love teaching dance and I have tons of stories that I could share with you. I've loved every single one of my little dancers and they all hold special places in my heart. It has blown my mind how my little Haitian dancers have progressed with no barre, no dance attire or footwear, no mirrors, the threat of falling coconuts, people coming and going, sun, wind and standing water. I'm so incredibly proud of every single one but my favorite dance story so far is this one.

I will never forget the day she danced.