In a note last week to her parents whom we know well a young woman recounted a conversation they had almost thirty years ago. It ended with their mutual conclusion that it was time for her to leave home. It was not an easy decision for any of them. She was completing eighth grade.
The prospect of her absence from her family as she grew into adulthood loomed large, but what prevailed over convention was a compelling gravitational pull. In was, in the words of Joseph Campbell, to follow her bliss, and for this young girl her bliss was dance.
Her path took her many places. She danced in New York and venues in Europe, Russia and South America. She created her own company and along the way discovered a love of teaching.
The occasion for her note of gratitude was the culminating performance for her Master of Fine Arts degree. She choreographed and danced in a 30-minute piece of her creation involving twelve other dancers. She chose the music and integrated graphics created by art students who attended one of her rehearsals. In the audience her parents beamed along with siblings, her husband and her daughter.
Words from Kahlil Gibran came to mind.
Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself…
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness; for even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
sacredlead 
So beautiful….and one of my favorite Gibran quotes.
love to you all,
Thanks, Heidi. You and Bob embody the spirit of life’s longing for itself. Blessings for your CA respite.
Thanks for a wonderful footnote to our special experience last weekend, Bob. I forwarded your blog to our three kids. Love to all your family, Lynne
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And thanks for your and Paul’s support last weekend and all along the way, sharing not only in the journeys of this set of parents and their children but in being the bow for launching, nurturing and supporting your own children on their paths. Love to you and Paul.
Beautiful Bob…. like you!,
Thanks for the read and the comment, Melisa. You know better than most the deep love and commitment involved in parenting. “You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.”
Yay Dad! I love it! Sorry I missed it 🙂 xoxoxo >
You were there, Hillary, in the way that we are all there for each other, no matter the geography. And, mom and I celebrate you as well for following your own bliss as part of life’s longing for itself. Love you…
The strength and passage of a decision is powerful, the unselfish act the parents had to make to make dreams come true.
Thanks, Kathy, for reading the post and sharing your reflection. I went to your website, and I see how you are helping others to make their dreams come true. Your experience on your own path validates what you (and your equine partners) offer others. Congratulations and best wishes in following your bliss.
One of my favorite quotes! I’ve read it at many Blessing Way Ceremonies.
Fun to learn of the synchronicity. I think it speaks to the faith that each of us in our own way is an instrument for refracting a greater light. Hope all is flourishing in your new home.
Dear Bob: I absolutely love this! What a blessing it is to be able to look back over all of these years and to feel gratitude for her decision. She has been very brave and passionate in following her bliss. Love…
I understand she was inspired by many whom she saw following their own path, you and your family among them, Kit. Sending love.
Very very fine !!!!makes me smile
Big smile back at you, fellow parent. 🙂