Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Twirls and Swirls


It was one of those days. He put on a record, releasing soft music into the lazy afternoon.

I looked up at him, shooting him a cheeky grin. Even then I knew I could have my way whenever I was with him.

“Dance with me. Teach me how.”

And so he took my small hands and clasped them in his large ones. Gathering me close, he counted softly in my ear “1,2,3,1,2,3 …. That’s all there is to it, follow the beat”

“Left foot forward, right foot back.”

“I can’t. I can’t keep up” I stumble and fall back, beginning to sulk.

With a chuckle he lifted me up on his toes and together we twirled around the room. Delighted, I laughed, a musical tinkle breaking the earlier solemnity.

“This is fun! Spin faster!” and so he did.

Grandma laughed at us then.

Dizzy, spent and tired, he set me down at last.

“One day you’re going to grow up and I bet you’re going to break some hearts too, my darling”

More than a decade later, I’ve grown up. I don’t know if I’ve broken any hearts along the way. But I do know one thing for sure. I broke yours. I’m sorry, but all I want is to dance on your toes again.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

No shits Joanna! Your entry sent me on a full scale bawling. You made me miss my daddy! I danced with my daddy too when I was a lil girl. But dancing makes me breathless. I enjoy the piggy ride more. If only I could turn back into a child and ride on daddy's shoulder again. =(

It's ironic, isn't it, Joanna? We spend our time as a child wishing to grow up, only to grow up to wish to be a child again.

suituapui said...

Brings to mind the song: "Dance with my father"...

Jean said...

aww so sweet..i should learn how to dance too

A smile from SJ =)

ladyviral said...

I love the picture :).

I never know how my dad is in dancing :P. So I can't really say... but since I can't dance o_o; I think I would be stepping on him all the time! hahaha!

I rather learn the violin though :).

Reanaclaire said...

I am sure your dad would love to dance with u once again, now u r a decade older!
Have a nice day, Joanna.. :)

conan_cat said...

aww, now that's really sweet... but i'm sure if you are to turn back, your dad is willing to dance with you again, no matter what. :)

kinda touched the deepest part of my heart... i often break my dad's heart too. :(

Unknown said...

Keep that memory alive always, ya?

take care

Joanna said...

Cleffairy : Hehe, the post was actually dedicated to my grandpa who used to babysit me when I was still a wee thing ..
but I'm a great fan of the piggy ride too !!Oh, and the horsey ride! haha. Would make my dad gallop all around the house everyday after he came home from work :) Ah, the irony of growin up :)

STP : I love that song! Luther VanDross really got the words so right

SJ : Lol. Dance, and be merry always! The key to eternal youth :)

Ladyviral : I love the picture too..ah, the violin ..I wanna learn the cello :P

Claire : Hehe, I'm sure he would.:)You have a nice day too

Conan_cat : I do believe fathers are ever willing to forgive a repentant heart :) Know the story of the Prodigal Son?

Eugene : Ah yes, this one's already in my memory treasure box :)

conan_cat said...

am no christian, so i wikied about the Prodigal Son :D yup, our parents are the most generous people ever towards us :) no matter what we do wrong, as long as we repent, they forgive. :D

Toothfairy said...

what a sweet story, I wish my dad was like that, but he's never been around since the age of 6 or so... :S

loves

Joanna said...

Conan_cat : :) Yup, parents are definitely the best people around

Toothfairy : Hi there ! Sorry to hear about that but I'm sure we all have some angels and fairies somewhere along life :) May yours always be around