Five Years of Fabulous

The nicest gift arrived in the mail this week — a necklace commemorating my five-year anniversary as a Jazzercise instructor.

It’s nice, as they say, to be noticed.

And as I reflect on five years of plies and chasses, and the wonderful relationships forged on the the dance floor and stoked off it, I can’t help but think of the other changes in my life during this past half-decade.

• Finding my natural mother and more recently my biological father
• Basil’s retirement and subsequent family adjustments here at our house
• Catherine’s high school graduation and the start of her college tenure with all of its — ahem — teachable moments
• A new career path that keeps me on my toes while providing a daily chance to learn and grow
• The start of a book project chronicling the adoptee experience

… and more.

Through it all, Jazzercise has been a constant, an opportunity to inspire others, stay in shape and blow off steam.

Recently, I had a chance to see just how much teaching has influenced me:

Returning to my seat after addressing a group at a work-related event a few weeks ago, I realized that I hadn’t succumbed to a case of nerves. My heart rate was normal, my palms dry. (And the words I had crafted came out in order and were understandable — always a plus in these circumstances.)

Six years ago, this task would have seemed insurmountable to me.

And although it felt strange to be addressing people wearing office attire instead of Spandex, it was clear that people had listened to my brief remarks and connected with what I had to say.

I wonder: If I had stayed at the podium, could I have convinced the group to dance with me? 😉