Dear Friends,
Happy Holidays!
The past few days have been pajama days at my parents' house for our Christmas sleepover tradition. We stay up late, we sleep in, we play games, we talk, we watch movies, we cook, we snack...
We simply make time.
I hope that this holiday season, you are able to make time for what matters most to you, with who matters most to you.
Our regular class schedule resumes on Thursday, December 26th at 9:30am!
(No class on Wednesday New Years Day)
Happy Holiday Birthday Sandy Aley!
Last Thursday morning, we continued the tradition of celebrating Sandy Aley with a 75 minute Stop Drop and Dance class wearing festive holiday colors and outfits!
It is also the second year in a row that her sweet husband and two sons came for this special occasion and what a treat it is for all of us to watch the Aley family dance together!
Thank you to our magical elves that always bring decorations and signs for our special events, and thank you to Sandy who also brought a huge basket of accessories for everyone!
Happy Birthday Sandy!
The Christmas House Formal
Later in the evening last Thursday, we re-gathered for our first ever holiday "re-wear an old dress and spend $0 formal" party! Eliza Desch even fit into her 1990's senior prom dress!
Thank you to Barb Untermann for opening up her second home, the West End Nursery in San Rafael, which SHE personally transforms each year into "The Christmas House!" It was the perfect venue!
In addition, a huge thank you goes out to Barb Untermann, Erin Myers, and Eliza Desch for hosting the holiday party by setting up, cleaning up, and organizing finger foods and drinks for the event.
We talked, we ate, we danced, and the best part was gathering in a circle to share a bit of our vulnerable hearts - something that is always challenging, always scary, yet always so transforming and absolutely needed in our lives. This mini-retreat moment was the magical connection that goes way beyond the dancing and is the heart of our community. I am so grateful.
Thank you to everyone who was able to make the party and we missed those of you who couldn't be there!
(One more thank you to Karin Conn and all of you who contributed to a surprise hoodie, tank, facial and boba gift card! I love it!)
God Gave Me Migraines
Last Thursday began with Sandy's super fun birthday class in the morning and concluded with our heartfelt formal holiday party in the evening, and it was everything I loved.
What most of you don't know, is that I had a migraine, and was in so much pain all day.
I had to strain to keep my eyelids open, consciously keep my brain focused to concentrate on moves and conversations, and take slow, deep breaths to not get nauseated.
But guess what?
Despite feeling absolutely awful all day, I laid down in bed Thursday night, with my temple on my fist to try and alleviate the pain, but with the fullest and warmest heart.
"Thank you God for this wonderful, wonderful day."
I am not sharing this for any pity. I have lived with migraines since my teen years and they are so frequent, I have learned how to live with them.
But I truly believe God gave me migraines, and all of you, your heartaches, your struggles, your challenges, because only with the deepest chronic PAIN...
Comes the deepest chronic ABILITY to always see the beauty in life.
The upsides.
The positives.
The blessings.
"Whether it rains or pours, I'm all yours
You've got all my love"
- Coldplay
Merry Christmas,
Happy Hanukkah,
Happy Holidays,
Grace
