I have the great pleasure of posting not one but both of Maria’s recent live performances with her Belidi Dance group in Bennington, Vt.

The group consists of remarkable women who share a love of dance, fierce independence, and pride in being strong women.

They are that, and more, their dedication and support of each other tell us a lot about the best of being humans. Both of these performances are now on youtube and below.

(Above photo by Kitty Farnham)

You can see this video only on YouTube.

YouTube won’t permit me to post the first video, and I can only link to yesterday’s.

It was taken at the North Bennington Public Library lawn.

The dancing has been transformative for Maria; I believe it helped her discover herself. It is essential to her and a great joy for me to see her again and again.

I’m struck by how well these dancers work together. It is almost as if they dance as one. I guess, in many ways, they do. I never thought I would see Maria in make-up; she loves to dress up for her dancing.

I think she’s shining now in her dancing. I’ve watched this video thrice and want to see it again, this time with Maria. Something about it is profoundly uplifting. It is said that dance is the hidden language of the soul, and watching this video, I see what they mean.

I guess there was always a performer inside of her.