Feeling My Age

So, for those of you who don't know this, I am taking a contemporary dance class. The students are all pre-professional level ballet dancers, and did I mention, almost half my age. Anyway, I love my class! It is so much fun to be dancing again. But yesterday we did a very quick warm-up, (quick warm-ups - ok for dancers in their prime, not so much for me) and were off and leaping across the room, rolling across our backs, coming up to our knees, and doing it all again, and again, and again. Let's just say, that while I normally feel very comfortable in this class, yesterday was not my day. My knees were screaming at me, my back was saying "why?" and my skin on my big toe cracked open. Every part of me was saying, "quit, while you're ahead. You can still leave with some dignity." But of course, I stayed, and of course, I will go back. All for the love of the art! They say a dancer's shelf life is short. I am probably nearing my expiration date, but I will fight that every step of the way! I love the expression of music through movement, and the feeling I get when I know I am "on." That is why I struggle through on those days I am "off." So, even though I felt every day of my age, and then some last night, I will be back at it next week, and the next, and the next. Vive la danse!