Dance, Sweetie, Dance

Never have I been moved so much by one song than the first time I heard LeeAnn Womac's hit "I Hope You Dance" after the birth of my daughter. I was familiar with the song before she was born and liked it just fine. But once Sweetie was born and I heard the song again, it was an entirely new experience. The lyrics, ringing so truthfully and pure, wholly embody every wish I have for my darling little girl.

Sweetie helps me dance in my own way by inspiring me to new heights as I push forward with my dreams of a writing career. Stringing together words, ideas, feelings and beliefs into (at least personally) meaningful essays and articles is something I love to do, and being able to share it with so many people is a dream I love seeing realized. Every day Sweetie helps me realize my evolving strengths, determination, patience and ideals. For that I will always be grateful.

I wish for my daughter a life where she passionately pursues her own dreams, goals and desires. Whatever it is she wants for her life, I want her to go after it with all her heart and soul.

Sweetie - I hope you dance. I know you will. Thank you for teaching me how.

"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat, but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

Chorus: I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
I hope you dance, I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they're worth takin’
Lovin’ might be a mistake but it's worth makin’
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance (rolling us along)
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance (where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,


dance, I hope you dance,
I hope you dance (time is wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance (rolling us along)
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance (where those years have gone)
(tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
(where those years have gone)"