Baton Twirling

When I was about 10 I twirled baton! There I was, in ribboned pig tails and a short, bright skirt, Bobbi socks and bleach-white Keds, grinning ear to ear while marching along in formation with my twirl mates in a local parade. Occasionally our troop would stop and perform a short, well-rehearsed choreographed piece for the crowd: figure eights and horizontals, long arm and double wrist rolls, under the leg tosses, spins and catches. The crowd would gasp and applaud each time we caught our batons in sync (well, sort of), and flinch and duck at flying-out-of-control metal sticks.

I ponder...how many little girls learned to twirl the baton? I remember a classmate of mine in high school, Kim, who was an outstanding Majorette. She lived across the street from me and practiced frequently in her driveway. She was graceful, yet powerful and performed with such surety. Her costumes were so beautiful on her petite frame as she adorned our football field during halftime. I often wished my mom had kept me in the sport because I would have liked to twirl with Kim.  Instead, I was a cheerleader, which was really was the sport I grew to love.

There were times I thought about getting you, Aly and Jay, into twirling, but it just wasn't offered at any of the bases we lived at and I never maintained the skill I had when I was so young to teach you myself. Maybe you will encourage your daughters to try it out and make their grandma proud one day.(?) :)

Love,
~Mama