We went to Jean’s Place to partake in our new and already sacrosanct weekend ritual – oat bran pancakes with two or three slices of dry and crispy bacon. We saw Robin, our Super Waitperson and instant friend, she came over to take our order and immediately zeroed in on Maria.

Turns out Robin saw the video we posted of Maria and her belly dancing group performing last Saturday at the Bennington Farmer’s  Market. She was excited, she couldn’t say enough about it.

It was a milestone for Maria, she and I talked about it again on our latest podcast.

Robin was fascinated by the video and peppered Maria with questions about it. She completely got it – the attitude, the release, the escape from tension, the pride, the self-esteem, the exercise.

Belly dancing is not about pleasing men, it is learning to love oneself.

I had that feeling I sometimes get when I meet a creative person who is on fire to do something they really want to do. “Why don’t you go and see a class?,” I suggested, and Maria jumped right in.

“You’d love it,” she told Robin. I think she would.

This is one of those moments I most love about life, when a creative person lights a creative spark. It’s not for me to pressure Robin into doing anything, but I saw her eyes light up when she said she thought it would take her to a good place.

Maria is dropping off some literature. I hope Robin takes a look, Bennington is almost right next to Hoosick Falls.

She said she wasn’t musical and had never danced. Me either, said Maria, the two of them were coming from the same place. It made me want to join the group.

We both had the sense that Robin would love belly dancing, and would also benefit from it. She has some difficult challenges in her life right now, and  she also sensed the same thing Maria did – this was something that was very possibly perfect for her.

Robin is plenty busy in her life, but maybe she will join this belly dancing troupe, a group of remarkable and supportive women who come together to express themselves in this particular way.

Note: To all of Robin’s friends and family members who have messaged me about what a great person she is, I hope you will urge her to take a look at this group. She seemed quite excited about it.