My daughter is a dancer so we watch "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing With the Stars". I have to secretly admit that I enjoy our time together and am really beginning to like dance. I'm not a dancer, I'm a runner so I'd rather watch the Boston Marathon or the Olympics, but I understand the dedication, grace and determination it takes to dance. In fact, I'll even go out on a limb and say that dancing is a pretty darn hard sport. And I do admit that I like it.
This past episode of Dancing With The Stars (aired Oct 5, 2015) was kind of a crazy episode. It was titled: Most Memorable Year. The idea behind the show was to have the stars pick a song that reminded them or somehow correlated with their most memorable year. As each dancer's packet was shown, I couldn't help but notice how many stars memorable year was full of tragedy.
Paula Dean's was the year she left her husband and started her Bag Lady Cafe.
Tamar Braxton's was when her husband had blood clots in his lungs and then they decided to start a family.
Nick Carter's was the year he joined Backstreet Boys instead of a life of drugs and crime.
Carlos PenaVega's was the year he hit rock bottom, went to church and within a week found his wife and life again.
Bindi Irwin's year was the time she lost her father.
I could go on, but I won't. It made me think of what really defines us is our trials that we march through. I can't say we "overcome" them, but trials that we just lace up our boots, put on a cloak of courage and march through the mess we have been handed or that we have created ourselves.
As I reflect on what my most memorable year might be, I can't pinpoint one. Here are the ones in the running:
1989: The year I got married. Song would be: When You Love a Woman by Journey
1991: The year that ended two years of infertility with the birth of my first born. You've Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman or A Beautiful Life by Donny and Marie Osmond
2002: The year I was in a horrible auto accident (it should have taken my life). Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah) by Andy Grammer
2008: The year I lost my mother. Heroine by Asia
2009: The year I was diagnosed with cancer and within a week my father-in-law died. Runnin' With the Devil by Van Halen or Survivor by Donny Osmond
2010: The year I traveled to hell and back while undergoing chemotherapy. An Extraordinary Life by Asia
And, yes, I see myself in all of these songs dancing and overcoming every obstacle and becoming stronger!
What is your most memorable year and does it have a song or dance?