Sunday, November 30, 2008

Picture of the Day: The Nutcracker So Sweet

Last weekend I got to take Lili to the Nutcracker for the first time. This was not the first for Lili. Last year I had Abigail a day before Thanksgiving and so my sweet mother in law took her instead. While I was overjoyed to have Abigail here with us and two weeks early I might add, I was sad that I could not take Lili to her first Nutcracker.

Let me explain that my sentimentality about the Nutcracker probably goes beyond what normal sentiments are where the ballet is concerned. I desperately wanted to take Lili because that is a memory that I wanted her to have that I also had too.

Before my mom got sick she dressed me up one beautiful winter night and took me to the Municipal Auditorium to see the Nutcracker. I still remember that I was wearing this adorable red velvet suit that, I believe, she made for me. We went down the isle right before it started found the row that we had tickets for. I had to squeeze past a man who was smiling at me and I looked back and could see my mom smiling back at the man. I think they both thought I was cute. I was probably 3 at the time.

I enjoyed every minute of that night. I held moms hand and loved being with her. It is one of my very first memories. Thank you Lord that it is a beautiful one. Not long after that, she got very ill and she and life were never the same.

I am so grateful that I got to hold my beautiful little girls hand and dress her up in a beautiful outfit. I got to help her out of her itchy tights in the ladies room. I got to read her the story of the Nutcracker from the playbill. I got to watch her eyes light up when the sugarplum fairy danced so gracefully. I got to hold her in my arms as she drifted off to sleep shortly after that dance. I was so blessed that night. Even though it was not my first or her first Nutcracker Suite, it was our first to watch and enjoy together. I will have that memory forever and I hope it will be one of her favorites. I know it is one of mine.










3 comments:

  1. You made my cry. Hey - I've been trying to call you. want to go on a double date tomorrow night?

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  2. how fun! What a great memory for both of you. Ben and my first "official" date was to the nutcracker, he fell asleep after the sugar plum fairy waltz too

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  3. You made me cry, too. What a beautiful memory and new one being made...
    I wanted so badly to do it with Anneke this year and start the tradition, but I can't afford to do it. I am so sad. I hope it will work out next year.

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