The time has come again as it periodically does for me to sing the praises of my beautiful and extravagantly talented daughter once more. This time, however, I'm not doing so for the usual reasons.
The usual reasons would include a glowing account of her performance last night, and those of the people she has chosen to work with, and how they provoked a wildly enthusiastic response from a sophisticated Seattle audience by giving them something completely original, fresh, and different from anything else out there.
By now I've gotten used to the way people in the bellydance world respond to Rachel. That's a small, tight world in most communites, but nationwide Bellydance Scene USA adds up to a lot of people, and her following is immense, not to mention dedicated. They recognize that she created her own style, and it's no exaggeration to say she's now, as she approaches the end game of her performance career, a legend.
But that's not what I'm proudest of.
Despite all the fame and accomplishment, Rachel remains a warm, genuine, and down-to-earth person. She's never allowed her ego to run away with her, has never taken the notion of being a "star" particularly seriously, has none of the jealous impulses of the prima donna, and genuinely enjoys sharing the spotlight with performers whose talents are equal to her own. She remains devoted to her origins and the people who raised and nurtured her. She is, for lack of a better word, humble, or what in Yiddish is called "a mensch," and I thank my lucky stars for it.
Her mother and I must be singularly fortunate among parents.
3 comments:
Indeed cause for pride. True accomplishment involves moving the envelope of human accomplishment outward. It takes risk, but if we all just sit on our talents and not extend ourselves, the earth just gets consumed for nothing.
You're right, Joe. It takes courage to get up in front of the multitude and make yourself vulnerable.
Yay Rachel! Hugs to both of you from me. Miss you !!
-Roanna
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