From My Soap Box

By Fae Lox

I recall visiting a friend. We were young women fresh out of high school. She lived in the penthouse of a neighborhood skyscraper with her family. Her older sister had recently moved out. Her sister was fiery. I was intimidated by her outspokenness, but I liked her nonetheless. I liked her parents, too. A professor and a nurse with plenty of knowledge to share. They were welcoming of their daughter’s friends.

As I walked into the large apartment, I glanced over the furniture, where my eyes eventually caught two nice-sized photos pinned on the wall for everyone to see. There it was, the pride and joy of the family. It was my friend and her sister, under eight years old on pointe with rouge, bows, and tutus.

Although they were stout at that age, they were absolutely adorable.  The photo was nothing but smiles and pink leotards. Imagine two baby hippos with ballerina costumes. So cute, you could’ve stuffed them and sold them at a gift shop. I mean that in the most respectful way.

I was taken aback that their parents didn’t discourage them with a hurtful excuse about their weight or bone structure. They understood this was a positive activity that would provide them with discipline and assurance. They weren’t expected to go to Broadway. Who knew, maybe the next week they’d lose interest as fickle as children can be. They enrolled them in the classes anyway, providing the family with such bonded memories.

I suspected that mentality is why her older sister was so fiery. She didn’t tolerate much. Regardless, the daughters were strong in their own ways.

I wish other parents could’ve caught the memo about not being overly critical and disheartening towards your children. Some parents use the lack of money as an excuse to dismiss their little ones’ desires unless there’s a huge promise of developing a megastar. I’m sure that wasn’t on their parents’ minds at the time. They simply invested in their children’s well-being and self-assurance. Besides, it made for the cutest childhood portraits.