Pink Sunsets

 A few years ago, I spoke with the daughter of a fellow breast cancer support group member about her company's project for breast cancer survivors. It was unlike anything I had ever come across during this battle.  This company, Mei/Co Dance, a dance company, uses their art to bring peace and hope to breast cancer patients and survivors.  

A few years ago, Meggie, the daughter of my friend and the owner of the company, called to record my story and put it together with music and choreography.  Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the performance, due to my health and our moving away from Houston, Texas.  However, Meggie later called to share that several audience members had commented on the strength and powerful messages and feelings they experienced during that dance.  One woman, in particular, was so moved because she felt a great connection to her own life, as she had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Meggie also sent videos of the dancers practicing for the performance and expressing positive messages and prayers to me for being such an inspiration.  That all warmed my heart and made me even more dissapointed that I was unable be there on the actual night.   

A few months ago, I was contacted by Meggie, out of the blue.  She let me know about the company's move to the DFW area, amazingly the area in which I now live!  Meggie also informed me that they were working with a few other local dance companies on a fall performance.  "Can we use your story?" and "Will you be able to attend?," she asked.   Knowing that this performance would be held in my backyard made it so much easier to envision FINALLY being able to see the tribute en vivo.

Before this night, I had only had virtual contact with any other members of the company.  I had never met any of them in person, but had only seen some pictures and videos and heard their voices.  I managed to convince Stephen to accompany me, knowing that Meggie was saving two seats for us.  

We arrived to the address of the event.  Originally, I imagined a venue at some performing arts center, but arrived to a stunning home with an enormous backyard.  (Luckily I checked on the style of dress beforehand!). An impressive stage had been constructed, along with all the fancy lighting and sound equipment.  I met a fellow member of Meggie's company first, and then met Meggie's family.  Finally, we were set up and ready for the performance to begin.  

The heads of all the companies took turns introducing their performances as well as their overall missions.  I hadn't before realized how driven they all were by the power and peace and hope and faith in God.  I was touched by spirit of the Lord that I felt from the start.  I was humbled when Meggie introduced me and explained how honored she was to have me there.  She even summarized my story and how it related to the dance called "Pink Sunsets."

My dance was the second to last one on the program. Right before it began, Meggie and another member of the company moved my chair to the front and center of the stage, so I wouldn't miss a moment.  I felt like a celebrity.    How grateful I am for this company and their work.  

I was moved by my dance.  I saw the theatrical part of my story through their movement and use of the props.  This dance was choreographed, based on my story about telling my children to remember the pink sunsets, especially when I'm gone.  I've reminded them that I would be looking down and watching over them, and the pink sunsets would help them remember.  The dance focused a bit on me learning to dance in the rain during the fight, after a second diagnosis, but Meggie really wanted to focus on my boys and how they know my love through things I've left behind and the signs of my love along the way.

  As if my emotions had not been impacted enough by the performance, afterwards, Meggie handed me flowers and a card from the entire company.  Then, each member introduced themself and spoke about what an honor it was to create this dance, and I could not stop the happy tears.  Meggie asked if they could pray over me, and that led to even more happy tears.  It was lovely.

Finally, it was time to go.   As we were saying our goodbyes and heading to the car, we passed a group of dancers from another company as they worked to pack up the stage.  One guy stopped me and added his thoughts and feelings about my dance and how inspired and touched he felt and spoke about wanting to jump into our circle of prayer in order to be lifted up in the spirit and light of what seemed to be around us all.  To that, another member of his company chimed in and agreed.  

It was all so different than any other show Stephen and I have attended in the past.  And that was perfectly fine for today.  I needed this comfort and spiritual/emotional uplift, and I am so grateful to have been a part of this memorable evening.