Dancing

In 1997, I kissed my oldest child and wished him well as he began his journey into adulthood via Auburn University. David was going to swim for a NCAA Div 1 National Champion swim team and was one of 8 male freshmen joining the team. 12 years later, 6 of those 8 freshmen swimmers are still great friends. When Dave had his spinal cord injury in 2005, all contacted him immediately and most came to visit him. Not only did Dave make lifelong friends, but the parents of these boys became good friends, too. Rather remarkable when it is considered that we parents were together maybe 2 or 3 times a year. Of course, those were intense times as we were in the stands cheering the Auburn swim team on to victory. It makes for bonding moments.

Now fast forward 12 years. All but 2 of the 6 were married. The holdouts were Greg and Dave. Greg recently was married to his bride who also attended Auburn University but it took an Alumni meeting for them to meet in Chicago. All 6 of these former Auburn swimmers were there. I attended this wedding and it was like a family reunion for me. It was good to see the "boys" again and meet their wives. Some of the parents were there and it was like the Parent Weekends of bygone time as we caught up on various events. The wedding was lovely, the bride gorgeous and Greg, the groom, was popping his tuxedo buttons with pride.

All of the "boys" were part of the wedding party including David. Sometimes it is a bit awkward to escort a bridesmaid down the aisle and wheel his chair too, but somehow the bridesmaids make it all work. There was dancing at the reception and I think Dave made the "moonwalk" look very smooth. After a few drinks, the inhibitions were less and more dancers crowded the dance floor. The Bride and Groom had started it all with their beautiful waltz - if they didn't take lessons for this special dance, then they are naturals and should go on tour. As the evening wore on, David asked me to dance with him.

I have been to several weddings after Dave's accident. I find it always poignant that the Bride and Groom dance and then the Groom dances with is mother. I think it is beautiful but I have to admit I feel a bit jealous that it isn't going to happen to me. Well, here was my chance to give it a go. Dave claimed a little corner of the dance floor for us to give it a try. We held hands, I pushed his knees with my knees for him to go back and would pull with my arms for him to go forward. Thanks to his long arms he could spin me which did catch me by surprise. We were making it up as we went along but it fun. Dave told me that when it was his turn to get married, if they had a wedding dance, we'd take lessons. I look forward to that but for now having a dance with my son was a most memorable moment.

I have to thank all the Auburn family that stood by Dave as he learned life over in a wheel chair. It was being in the company and being comfortable with them that might have been the reason we were able to give dancing a try. I have been touched by these Auburn men over the years. When Eric came to see David, I mentioned that I was grateful that all the "boys" came to be with Dave, and he replied that all of them came to be with us, too. They aren't "boys" anymore, they are men and I'm as proud of their character as any mother who raised them. Thanks to the parents who supported them and us over these many years. It was so good to see you all again.

PS I wrote this quite awhile ago but everytime I tried to post it, I would cry. This time I didn't cry so it must be time.