The first dance

Being the gift giver, I am constantly amazed at the way God blesses me for giving. He always provides for my needs and often more.

He has taught me not to expect a "reward" on earth, but to know my needs will be provided and sometimes more. Today that was an emotional need He was going to fulfill.

It was a very special celebration. It was my parent's forty-fifth wedding anniversary and they were taking us to an exclusive restaurant where I had many happy moments as a child. We had stayed in the hotel there growing up. The restaurant was magical to me. I wanted that for my son though he was sixteen.

All my sisters',their husbands' , and children were there. I was the only single one in the group having been through divorce. But today that didn't bother me! All I could think of was wanting Andrew to experience the same joy I had.

We all were full of laughter and the children were mesmerized! There was a 1950's band playing and a dance floor. They had a special dance floor for children so all the kids wildly proceeded to the floor to express their own creative dance styles. Mom ordered "Shirley Temples" for them.

That brought back an instant memory of how fancy the "Shirley Temples" had been as a child. I used to sip on it slowly so it would last the whole night. Everything seemed so much smaller now. It was like when you go visit your elementary school. It just seems so small.

Gradually they brought out the three course meal, with no rushing between the courses. They knew people planned to stay about three hours here. My favorite was the strawberry cheesecake decorated with a rich chocolate sauce. Mathew was quite impressed with the meal.

But it was the socializing of my whole family that made the evening. I especially enjoyed seeing with my parents and seeing the love they shared. My dad was laughing and kept looking towards my mom when she was sitting away from him.

Mathew and I shared priceless conversation as he opened up to topics he never had before. Then I asked him the question I as his mother had wanted to ask him all night. He looked so dressed up in his suit and I did in my black skirt and black print top. "Will you have one dance with me son."

"Oh Mom, I don't know how. " he stated sheepishly. "It is easy and you will need it for the girls. But it would be so special if I had the first dance." I said. "Sure." he said to my surprise.

Together we bumped around touching toes and getting caught between the crowds, but I realized my boy was growing into a man!

"Oh Matthew ," I said, " you have no idea how special that was! You made my month!"

After that there wasn't dances shared between us. Three months later he went to his first youth group dance and danced with three girls. But deep in my heart I knew. I had the first dance.

If it is God's will for him to remarry and I am still alive, we will have another dance. But I have learned in life to enjoy the moment. You never know what will come around, but memories last a lifetime. That is why I treasure my first dance and Mathew may one day!

God only knows!