02/17/2024
The story of change.
The story of leaving.
The story of blooming.
I am so happy waking up today and seeing a glimpse of the fantastic show/extravaganza Tribal Misfits, Ashanti Crystal put on last night in Boulder. Oh how I would have loved to be there. Funny thing, I was and always am. In spirit we say, but there is more to it than that.
When I left Boulder and my beautiful dancers, especially this one, it was a great challenge and heart ache. Ashanti and I started dancing together when she was 12 or 13. We danced together for 20 plus years!! When I left Boulder, it made more room for her to blossom, even more than ever while I was still right there. I see myself in each of the art pieces she creates. A glimmer or spark of my choreography and style, transformed in fresh and wondrous ways. I see some of my Figure 8’s still dancing by her side. I passed the baton, so to speak..
I am so proud and so thrilled! Ashanti is and always has been her own brand of talent, her very own expressiveness, an amazing seamstress, a radiant beauty, inside and out. Not only that, but a beloved friend/daughter, fellow artist and a great joy in my life.
Watching her grow and glow through decades is similar to watching my own son grow up. The pure joy of witnessing the becoming.
I imagine if I may, her own mother, Marinella, who left us years ago watching over, as I do from afar. Marinella must be beaming with joy to witness her every dance step from the heavens. I feel her smiling.
Neither of us wanted to leave Ashantis side, one of the toughest parts of my decision to come to the western slope, and yet our parting gave her wings expansion. And isn’t this the way? For mammas to step aside and watch in wonder the ever-changing blooming?
Give breath to those you cherish. Marinella and I are both shining through Ashanti. Even though I’m still here in form, I can see how this gift of self carries forward in our absence. A true gift of eldering is this, all THIS that our efforts have made possible, bit by bit.
Everything we do matters.
From here to there and everything in between.
