The Dancer and the Gardener

“When you do dance, I wish you A wave ‘o  the  sea, that you may ever do Nothing but that.”  William Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale

Meet the dancer, Natalie.  Her love and passion for dance began when she was just three years old.  As she has grown, Natalie has found that ballet is what truly speaks to her heart.  There is a constant, mature beauty about ballet that she desires to attain.

Through the complexities of steps, accompaniment of the piano and sound of her toes gliding across the wood floor, ballet has awoken her dreams and aspirations. Perhaps it is the disciplined and intricate movements and steps that have captured her heart. Or perhaps the music and rich history of this ancient dance holds her captive.

Natalie became one of the youngest students in the production the Nutcracker cast a couple years ago at the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts in Kansas City.  From there, Natalie has continued to evolve and grow her love for this art in motion.  She is steadfast and focused and I can only imagine what the future holds for this young, beautiful dancer who aspires one day to teach ballet, be a scientist or even become an author.

“I said I wanna touch the earth, I wanna break it in my hands, I wanna grow something and unruly.” The Dixie Chicks, Cowboy Take Me Away

Meet Gracie, the gardener. Her love for nature and nurturing was evident at a young age.  With an eye for birds of every shape, form and design, Gracie seems to be nature’s little apprentice.  Her heart for people now overflows to her love of God’s tiniest creation and creatures.  While most 6 year old little girls would be terrified of spiders, Gracie gently loves rescuing them.  Caterpillars, butterflies and daddy long legs are her friends.

Her childlike fascination with caring for them is not something taught but rather something so special and innate to who Gracie is. Plants and gardening are her current passion.  She regularly comforts and encourages her plants with the tender care a mother would for her child.

Nature inspires her; it opens windows where her passion for art and love for the creative allow her to thrive.  She dreams of someday being a farmer; caring for the land…seeding, watering, pruning and cultivating what she may.  The world needs more “Gracie’s” in it.  Through her, we are reminded that even the smallest of details are sometimes the most beautiful and purpose worthy.

The dancer and the gardener…..two sisters with dreams that will take them down different paths. Their pictures tell their stories and their stories are still yet to be fully told.