One year, just before Christmas, a little, two-year-old girl was getting ready for her big night. She was dressed in her new Christmas dress, and as excited as ever. As she curled her hair and put her in her car seat, Mommy was wondering how Rebekah would fare through the long show. Would she wiggle and squirm or sit still like a little lady?
When they arrived at the theatre, Rebekah waited patiently for the show to start. When the overture began and the curtain opened, she was mesmerized, caught up in the story of Clara and her Nutcracker, sympathizing as the Nutcracker broke and rejoicing as Drosselmeyer fixed it. From the joyous Party Scene, through the unpredictable Battle Scene and graceful Kingdom of Snow, to the exciting Land of Sweets and even through the Grand Pas de Deux of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. Rebekah followed Clara's every move and slowly, a dream was forming in her mind.
When the show was over, Rebekah turned to Mommy, and said, "I want to be her". She was pointing at Clara. So, Mommy searched high and low for a ballet school that would take two-year-olds (she was almost 3 though) and found a studio. The next Christmas, Rebekah made her debut in The Nutcracker for the first time (yes, one school auditioned three-year-olds). She was a baby doll in the Battle Scene. For the next five Nutcrackers, Rebekah was a little party girl and bounced around the stage in her purple velvet dress. But in the back of her mind, she was still dreaming.
Through the years, Rebekah grew, she played many roles ranging from a Soldier and Little Angel to Russian and gingersnap. She still held on to her dream often imagining herself as Clara. Several times, she wondered if her dream would ever come true, or was she destined to always be something else. One year, Rebekah was really disappointed to be cast as an Arabian attendant. But she made up her mind to be the best Arabian that she could be and kept on dreaming. She climbed the ranks in her company, Apprentice, Intern, and finally Company.
It was that ninth grade year that Rebekah's dream waswithin reach. One day, as she was waiting to go into class, Ms. Joanie signalled her and another girl to follow her. She led them into the costume closet and said, "I have not finished casting yet, but I want to let you guys know that you are the Claras for this year." Rebekah was ecstatic, she left the closet beaming, causing her friends to ask what had happened. But another surprise was in store, Joshua had been asked to be Fritz as well. So it was going to be a brother/sister team. Rehearsals began soon and Rebekah worked really hard. She learned to let go and to enjoy dancing for an audience of One. Her dream had come true and she enjoyed every minute of it
So, keep dreaming and don't let go of your aspirations. If God has them planned for your future, He will make them happen. But even if He doesn't, don't lose hope but embrace every opportunity as a chance to glorify Him.
Let us run with endurance, the race set out before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:1b-2
Rebekah Diaddigo 