The Autumn Dance

Gazing from her bedroom window on a bleak autumn afternoon, Allison wondered if she'd ever recover from grief. Focusing on something other than her dad's recent death was unattainable. Allison's heart matched the dreary weather. She pondered, realizing what a great dancer he was. Certainly her dad's dancing was equal to Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Though these artists' dancing trend evolved early on, Glen Sams kept their styles healthy. Allison remembered her dad saying, "There's no reason for depression if one can dance. It cures the heart." Ironically, in the moment this thought emerged so did the sun. It shined brighter than ever, moving the charcoal-colored clouds away faster than Allison's mother could sweep the porch. The sun's smile led Allison outside amongst the leaves as she hummed her dad's favorite tune, "Autumn Leaves." She began dancing. Flashing forth like a brilliantly polished diamond, Allison's heart lifted higher as the vivid autumn colors supported her activity. Instead of a rustic stamp, she waltzed through autumn's leaves with a glorious pattern, glittering triumphantly. For the first time since her father's death Allison smiled, dizzily dancing as if she'd just popped a cork from a bottle of champaign in celebration of her father's life. What joy Allison felt as she realized her dad's truth. Within weeks Allison was in training. Today she waltzes across the land with loving memories replacing grief. When spotting a depressed person, Allison will ask, "Have you tried dancing? It cures the heart, you know." Written November 15th, 2001 © on Nov 15 2001 02:31 AM PST   0 • 10