Tatiana came into my life when I was about 8 yrs old. She was a russian ballet teacher at the Marion Tracy Dance Dance studio and I was terrified of her! In the many years of my training with her, I never lost that fear of her but I did develop a hopeless devotion and adoration for her. Below are just a few of the things Tatiana taught me.
1. Be humble: She taught all of her students to do our best and be proud of everything we do but she also taught us that we could always do better. At the time, I thought that lesson only applied to dance but in growing up I have learned that it applies to everything. I am 100% proud of the person I have become but I am also eager to become the person that I can be.
2. Push yourself and test your limits. Tatiana had a way of pushing us way beyond what we ever felt was possible. I can remember many a time when she would push me so hard in class that I would get furious and push harder then I had ever pushed before. And at the end of my fury, I always found a new skill that was beyond what I thought possible for my body. Tatiana was instrumental in my preparation for Miss America. I remember hanging on to every piece of critiscism she gave me at that time because I knew her words were completely unselfish and completely honest.
3. Work hard but love harder. Tatiana worked harder than you would even think possible. She taught 5-7 days a week for very little money and thanks. At the end of the day, what really mattered to her was "her girls". Althought she didn't say it much, she loved each and everyone us. She showed it in a million small ways. She showed it when she would stop us in the middle of class and tell us to eat a granola bar because we looked pale, she showed it when she refused to allow us to stand in a room where there was a working microwave, and she showed it in the way that she pushed each and every one of us and made us all better dancers and people. I am forever grateful for discipline and skill she taught me but I am even more grateful for the love she showed to me in so many ways.
Tatiana was such an enigma to her girls. She seemed to be larger than life and not subject to things that us mere mortals are. I know that she lived a long life, full of love but I just find myself surprised that this day has come. I will never forget you Tatiana. Thank you! I just know that you are dancing with the angles now...and probably getting them all to straighten up thier acts as well:-) I love you!!!
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| Tatiana with her granddaughter (and my good friend) Misty . |
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