This is what Community feels like: Thank You

The day before my birthday I found nits in Isadora's hair. Shit. shit. shit.

I surrendered to louse warfare and engaged full force. shampoo x 3 in the household. 4 hours of combing. vacuumed and ironed the mattresses, couches, chairs. laundry, continuous laundry.

At around 4am in the morning of my birthday (I was born at 5:02am, mind you) I was awakened by the feeling of warm piss oozing into my pajamas. Isadora peed on me. lovely. changed the sheets again.

Woke up, said happy birthday to myself, stepped on a juicy slug that was slugging across my bedroom floor. Went to the laundry room and found cat shit on a pile of freshly washed clothes. Spilled spoiled milk all over my pants and found moth worms in my flax seed. What the fuck, right?

I was having a parasitic birthday party...

I went to class at 6pm with the mindset of "this birthday sucks, let it go. No expectations. Get the day over with." I was planning on dancing until 10pm and coming home to work on my newlsetter until it got done. Even if it meant sleep time at 2am. I had a list of stuff to get done. Birthday-shmirthday.

As the advanced girls filed in, Christi handed me an envelope. Everyone gathered around. I thought to myself, "oh, no they didn't." Yes, they did. The DragonFlies and several of my most devoted students all went in on a new stereo sound system for the studio. The blood rushed to my head, I saw stars, I started to happy cry, but I couldn't really. I was in shock. I went from cat-shit, nit pickin' hell to the feeling of utmost gratitude. I felt loved and appreciated.

I had just come out of a low too. One of those nasty small business owner lows when I had been doubting everything I was doing at Moon Belly. All those doubts melted in two seconds. It was a jolt. It was a surprise from the women I love most in the world. It was a message, "We believe in you."

I know they have their own selfish motives here too. Ever since the ipod speakers croaked we have been drilling to computer speakers that tweeked and twinged with every bass. But, it was more than selfish desire. It was an investment. It was, yet again, another form of commitment to themselves as dancers and to the community at Moon Belly.

I canceled class and went out for a stiff drink with all the gals. I came home a few hours later and just cried. I cried because I am happy. I cried because I am grateful. I cried because these women knew better than myself what I needed. This is what community feels like. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

To the Moon Belly dancers:

Thank you from the bottom of my heart ladies. My heart will thump every time I look at my new 30" maude deco speakers and feel that bass rock the sushi plates at KoJaba upstairs.

I never cease to be amazed by your devotion. When I see ya'll in home posture, glutes contracting, sweat dripping down your face and that look in your eye of sheer and utter will...it reminds me of why I am doing this. The magic you bring to the wood floors of Moon Belly will remain there for years and years. Even after we are gone. When you dance, you change the world.

Love-love always,

Kandice