when I was kid:
1. there were 9 planets.
2. adults were called Mr. or Mrs.
3. television when off the air and started each morning with a photo of the American flag and the playing of the National Anthem.
4. the president was assassinated .
5. we practiced for nuclear attacks.
when I was a teen:
1. MLK and RFK were assassinated.
2. men walked on the moon.
3. I believed “to live is to dance, to dance is to live”
4. my male classmates had draft numbers
5. POWs came home from Vietnam
when I was in my 20’s
1. I studied dance, voice and acting in NYC and auditioned for Broadway shows
2. I went to college part-time.
3. I started a business with my best friend
4. I meet my hubby and got married
5. drove across country with my sister and sister-in-law. I went to England and France with my bff.
when I was in my 30’s
1. I had 1 miscarriage and gave birth to 2 daughters
2. “have dance will travel” taught dance in many places to many people
3. was Sunday School Superintendent in my local church
4. my hubby became a FDNY firefighter
5. the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded
when I was in my 40’s
1. Life had a more balanced rhythm.
2. we got a dog.
3. vacations – England, Prince Edward Island, National Park Tour, Houseboat rental, camping…
4. Oklahoma City bombing and September 11 happened.
5. I became a widow.
when I was in my 50’s
1. my daughters got married.
2. my brother and my dad died.
3. I spoke in NJ, NY, PA, CA, NH, TN, KS, Northern Ireland and Japan.
4. I had breast cancer and I am now five years cancer free.
5. I retired from my dancing school.
on February 13, I will turn 60 and I can say:
“Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone.
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful”
Never Once by Matt Redman
Miss Ann Says 