Tag: children

The Twilight of My Ballet Career

.Reading time 5 minutes.

“After an illustrious career and a rigorous performance schedule, it has become clear that I must hang up my tights and retire from the dance. It is hard to step away from what has become my art, but I feel I must. The compounded stress of step after step has taken a toll on my weary body and I must now look to the future – hoping for recovery of both my basic mobility and my faculties. After putting my heart on the line for the audience day after day, I fear I have created a distance from my family that I must mend in this next season of life. Thank you to my fans and supporters – you have been my muse. I am blessed to be able to go out at the pinnacle of my career.”

The retirement speech no one attended…

Yes, I performed in the ballet last week. A performance for which I demanded  a one dollar check that I will not cash, thus making me a professional dancer. I feel very accomplished. Read More

The Release of Missing Kylie

.Reading time 5 minutes.

I am excited to announce the April 9th release of Missing Kylie!

What is it, you ask?

Missing Kylie is a compilation of my writing from Kylie’s diagnosis to the first anniversary of her death. Like everything I write, I have tried to mix laughter together with the heartache of cancer treatment and losing a child. You’ll smile some, cry more – and most importantly, I believe you will feel something while reading it. And despite what my macho side has told me all of these years, feelings are good.

The book contains short chapters, many of which started as blog posts, and it is divided into three sections: The Struggle, The Loss, and The Search for Meaning. Although it is organized chronologically, it is less a history of treatment and more a tango with God as I try to maintain my faith through the hardest two years any parent could imagine. Read More