The Perfect Storm: Two Big Things, One Long Week

My online family has been concerned over my recent spate of obviously bereft emotional postings on Facebook, and I haven't been able to share too much. I am sorry to have to have been so cryptic and distant, but it's all news that needed the right time to be shared. Beyond the cut is more than you might even want to dive into, but if you're interested in what's been up in my world (and I assume that is why you are all here), here's the scoop, in three parts:

BIG THING #1 - "FUCK CANCER!"
BIG THING #2: A FAREWELL FROM INFUSION TRIBAL
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS


BIG THING #1 - "FUCK CANCER!"
Last week, my dear Mother-In-Law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Now, if you knew Pat at all, you would know that there is probably not a single other person on the planet who deserves such awful news *less* than she does (not that anyone deserves it, but ya know what I mean...). She is the most incredibly giving, generous, unconditional-loving person I have had the pleasure to know. And she gave me my awesome best friend/husband, having passed so many of her incredible qualities on to my life partner, and his sweet younger sister. As a single Mom for most of their lives, she struggled mightily at times to keep body and soul together, but with her family's love, faith in God, tenacious spirit, and refusal to go down easy whenever any difficulty comes her way, she is in so many ways an inspiration to those around her. So this news, in a nutshell: Fucking. Sucks. But we're counting on Pat's tenacious spirit and faith to come through again throughout what lies ahead.

Her prognosis is actually stronger than many others who have faced this form of cancer. You can read "What you NEED to know about pancreatic cancer" on my friend Michelle's note here: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=153990643938 Her mother passed away from this cancer recently, and she was a primary care provider for her Mom during her fight, so she has a lot of firsthand information and insight on the topic. You may not be able to read it unless you are friended with Michelle, so if enough people are interested, I will get Michelle's permission to post it here or something public where others can read what she has to say. The statistics are not great, but it doesn't deter us from focusing all of our thoughts toward a positive outcome.

Pat starts chemo within the week, and we are not just engaging capable doctors and nurses, but also invoking the power of prayer and positive energies to help support Pat and her loved ones in what will be a difficult time ahead. Please add yours to the collection if you would.

More news as it becomes available...



BIG THING #2: A FAREWELL FROM INFUSION TRIBAL
All good things must come to an end, and as trite a statement as that may read, it is also true for inFusion Tribal Bellydance. A lot has changed in the eight years since the troupe was founded, full of growth, personal evolutions, and creative discoveries. It has been an exciting, and even life-changing, ride for all of us. But the time has come to explore new opportunities and challenges; and while our hearts are heavy at the thought of no longer being a part of this incredible collective we have been blessed to forge together, it is with continued undeniable love and support of one another that we each move in new directions.

The final appearance of inFusion Tribal will be at the World Rhythm Festival at the Seattle Center at the end of April--Sharon will be teaching a workshop on Saturday April 24th at 11am in the Center House - 4th Floor, Room H (with "vintage" t-shirts and hoodies for sale!); and most of the troupe members will be performing on Sunday the 25th at 1pm on the Mural Stage. As for myself, Cues & Tattoos was an incredibly fun and rewarding performance, and I have chosen to mark it as my final performance as a member of inFusion.

We are so grateful for all the support and enthusiasm our friends and fans have shown us over the years. To add another trite-but-true statement, it really would not have been the same without you. Your positive energies flowing so generously toward us, on and offstage, has been a huge part of who we are and what we were able to create, and we are infinitely thankful. Performing for you has been a privilege, and has created lasting joyful memories for all of us.

Take heart, this is surely not the last you will see of all of us!! Sharon's classes and workshops will continue (though there will be a planned break in May due to vacation travel and Memorial Day building closures), and the student troupe, Nomaditude, will be continuing to dance at events throughout the year. Renee will soon be back teaching yoga, and plans to resume teaching dance classes in the fall. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook Fan Page to keep up-to-date with inFusion's former members, so you can continue to support each of them in their new ventures, wherever their path leads them.

Thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts, for a fantastic eight years.


WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
As I said in the announcement above, my classes and workshops will continue as they always have, as will Nomaditude. Beyond that, with all that is coming together in a perfect storm for me right now, my immediate focus is on taking some time to self-nurture, refresh and refill the emotional and creative well, and soak up the positive ju-ju that the world has to offer. But as a lifetime lover o' the stage, you can bet that it won't be too long before I will be concocting something new for all my tribal-lovin' friends and fans out there. Keep your eyes peeled for the next incarnation of my creative energies.

I am incredibly grateful for this extended family the dance has brought me--all your loving words of support and encouragement have been beacons, and I feel wholly blessed. All my love to you.

6 comments:

  1. Awww Sharon...you're in our prayers as is your mother in law.

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  2. My thoughts are with you and your family in this time of change.

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  3. Best wishes to Pat for her treatmeant and healing, and to you and the rest of her family.

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  4. Those are definitely two very big deals.

    Lots of love, positive thoughts and prayers to your family. I lost my brother to pancreatic cancer 2 yrs ago after an 8 month battle. I'm glad to read that your MIL has the spirit needed to kick cancer's ass.

    inFusion and you, Sharon. What can I say about you that I haven't already told you? You have always been an inspiration to me and I know without a doubt that next thing up your sleeve will blow my mind away. The news saddened me but I also understand the need for change, movement and growth.

    I only kick myself that I wasted this past year being wishy washy about life and dance and lost that passion that drove me to seek your energy and wisdom on all things dance. And most of all, I missed out on watching you ladies dance your last dances as a collective. You brought me so much joy and I wanted to emulate you, in your dance, energy and in your talent.

    Thank you for everything you shared with me, Sharon!

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  5. Thanks, everyone, for your kind words and support. Sincerely.

    Amy, I am still teaching and will still be dancing. It's just the entity of inFusion that has ceased to be. I am a bellydancer, a teacher, a performer at my core, and that ain't going away. So there is still time to seek me out in the future. :)

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