We don't cry anymore when dear friends leave us.
As expats, comings and goings are a part of life and we have become used to such a life.
This 'getting used to' comings and goings helps in the larger scheme of things and accepting the facts of life.
However, yesterday we became emotional when Giusi came to meet us after the final dance performance that she had choreographed at the PDO Club.
...
We were introduced to Giuseppina Rondinelli about five years ago by another Italian friend, Alessandra.
As Giusi shook hands with me, I noticed her twinkling eyes, her beautiful smile and her petiteness. She had the confident air of someone who is blessed with a special talent and knows it. Such people walk on this earth with a rare grace.
Soon, Giusi started giving dancing lessons to little girls as an after school activity. Our Anna enrolled for this class and at the end of the term, they put up a show in the staffroom. Parent's cameras captured the moves that Giusi had taught the girls - some elegant, some jumpy, some deliberately funny, and some impromptously hilarious.
A couple of years later, Giusi started her regular Friday morning Zumba and contemporary dance class at Marlin Hall. The most unique thing about this class was that the teacher was full of enthusiasm and boundless energy and taught free of charge. Our Anna found dancing so delightful that she did not want to miss a single lesson.
As the class grew, the dancers started wearing their trademark black vest and tights. They performed at the Kinderfeest and also had an annual show in the Cinema Hall.
With the popularity of these events, the pupil's numbers increased so much that Giusi divided them into three batches - Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced.
This year, the Club decided to make this class more formal by forming a Committee.
The annual show that Giusi and the Dance Committee put up last weekend was a sold-out success. Many mums volunteered to help in different ways and I volunteered to do the make-up.
As our little girls danced on stage, our hearts danced with joy.
...
As the girls were getting ready to go on stage after the make-up on the first day of the show, I saw Katya dashing to the washroom with her face wet and make-up dripping down her chin. The other girls were looking on painfully.
"What happened?" I asked Anna "Did Katya fall, did she get hurt?"
"No Mama, she is crying because Guisi is leaving" Anna said sadly while controlling her own tears.
It was touching to see the pupil's love for their beloved teacher. Respect can be commanded but love has to be inspired.
Katya's make-up was redone but Giusi's leaving, unfortunately, cannot be undone.
...
Friday after Friday after Friday, this lovely Italian lady had created magic by turning on loud music and getting our girls to follow her steps. Giusi will continue to be with the girls whenever they dance to the familiar tunes.
At the last 'circle time' they had, Giusi told the girls, "Dancing is a passion, it comes from within you. Keep dancing."
Many girls there had taken their first dancing steps with Giusi and thought that dancing happened only around her. To them she said, "Dancing is not only about Giusi, it is about you and the joy you feel when you dance."
...
Giusi and I shared a special friendship.
We visited each other in sickness and in health. We took walks and talked about our children, our deepest concerns, and life in general.
Our family will surely miss this dear friend and her family when they leave for Belgium. In our hearts, we know she will create magic wherever she goes because she is specially blessed.
Talented people dance on this earth with a rare grace.
