The Secrets of Dancing Inside

​Hi     
Do you like secrets?
I hope you do, because I have a few to share with you today!
First, I’d like to tell you a story that has a special secret in it.
 
The spring my daughter was five year’s old she decided she wanted to see the moment the buds on our pear tree blossomed. Every morning and afternoon we would walk by the pear tree on our way to and from her school. Maria would stop, take out her purple notebook and draw a picture of the trunk, branches and closed buds on the tree.
Days turned into weeks and she continued her routine. Still, there was no change in her drawings or the tree.
“Why are the buds taking so long to open? She would ask.
“I guess they’re just not ready,” I’d say.
One afternoon when we came home, her orange cat was perched on the edge of the pond, meowing in a loud voice. Maria went to investigate and momentarily forgot to stop by the tree.
A friend next door saw Maria out playing and came to join her. They spent a while exploring the pond, looking for fish and frogs. Suddenly, Maria remembered the pear tree and ran over to it.
“Mom, we missed it!” She announced as she pointed to the buds in full bloom.
Big, beautiful, white blossoms covered the tree.
“Well,” I said. “I guess the tree wanted to bloom in secret.”
 
Actually, when I think about it, a lot happens in secret doesn’t it?
A mother’s belly pops seemingly overnight, revealing to the world the secret of the child growing inside her.
Daffodils open without a moment’s notice and share their joyful yellow hues, baby geese suddenly appear in the pond, a new songbird announces the rising of the sun, all exactly in their own right timing.
 
Creative process is very much like that, don’t you think?  An idea percolates for days, weeks, sometimes years and then suddenly it’s ready to born into form.
Creating Dancing Inside has been a similar process. A verse would appear, then another, then nothing for a while. I see in retrospect, I was learning the steps of my own inner dance. And then things got really exciting when Rose, my dear friend and illustrator began to share the watercolor paintings she had created for the verses. Rose and I, verses and watercolors began to dance a new dance and wow has that been fun!
 
When it’s time for secrets to be revealed, it’s time to celebrate!
 
Maria ran into the house and got her watercolor set and a big piece of paper. She sat by the pear tree and painted the pear tree in full bloom! The tree came to life! We kept that painting for many years.
 
Come celebrate with us as we share Dancing Inside with the world!
 
TWO BOOK SIGNINGS THIS WEEK!
 
Wednesday, April 25,
7:00 PM
Bethlehem Library
32 Main St South, Bethlehem, Ct 06751
 
Saturday, April 28
1:00 PM
Hickory Stick Bookshop
2 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot, Ct 06794
 
Rose and I will be among the featured artists there, celebrating our creative collaboration and Independent Book Store Day!
We may even reveal a secret or two to Dancing Inside!
And even more surprises!
Doug Williams, dear friend and Master Chef, will be providing delicious and delectable treats for you. You’ll get to taste his culinary secrets first hand!
 
Blessings and love,
 
Deborah and Rose