Happy Birthday

Today is my birthday. We went to Portland to take some relatives to a tango lesson at Milonga Berretin: http://www.tangoberretin.com/index.html
and then to stay for the milonga. My brother and his wife, and my sister took a beginning lesson from the terrific Joe Leonardo, http://www.hardroadtango.com/ before the milonga. There were some wonderful tango moments with brother and sister, her friend, my friend, brother and his wife, my partner, all showing up, for my birthday.

Later, I was taken aback, dazed, and carried away as in a dream, to find that I was granted a "birthday dance" to my favorite Fresedo music. This was totally unexpected, and I was feeling a little embarassed because I was outside of my Seattle community, and did not want to take up space and time in another community, but I was gifted this moment and of course I took it. Portland. What can you say? It is it's own universe, and has it's own warm and playful, and generous style.

I had many pleasures in a 24 hour timespan, in which I slept only 5 hours. Observing the lesson was high point. There is something about a lot of grownups having to learn how to walk, that is always touching, like we are babies again. And here were people I love, being great sports, tryng it out, able to recieve the information. My brother told me later that he tried to imagine that he was back in fifth grade taking a dance class, and my sister, who's life passion and career involves all things equine, later said it was like dressage. Later our favorite milonga hosts from Seattle, Armando and Diana showed up, to our delight. Tango knows no state lines, no national boundaries.

After midnight, it was announced that there would be a birthday dance for Elizabeth, from Seattle. My partner started out with me, and during the dreamlike three minutes, I was transported by a selection of beautiful partners, each taking me in their arms, whispering "happy birthday", before giving me up to the next one cutting in. Thanks to all of them for making this a night to treasure.

On the way to dinner tonight I was sighing, and saying I never want my birthday to end, and Alan said, "Well, we could make our birthdays last the whole year", and we said to each other, something about making the leap to being able to receive all year long, not just on our birthdays...
and it is something to strive for.

In tango I have often wished for my partners to be able to receive. I have often had to shake myself from the numbness of the mundane in order to take what is offered to me in the dance. To be born into it again at each moment as the notes of the tango begin. To know that to be able to receive is only true gift that we can give.

I think I need to go to bed. Tomorrow is another birthday for all of us. Enjoy it.