monthly conversation experiment #8

Courtney Conner of Damascus, PA

Posted 1/27/21

On Sunday, March 8, 2020, I was limping home up 3rd Avenue and 97th Street in NYC at about 2:30 pm. I had just completed teaching my 13th dance and/or pilates class in two days; I taught 25 dance and …

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monthly conversation experiment #8

Courtney Conner of Damascus, PA

Posted

On Sunday, March 8, 2020, I was limping home up 3rd Avenue and 97th Street in NYC at about 2:30 pm. I had just completed teaching my 13th dance and/or pilates class in two days; I taught 25 dance and gymnastic classes a week all over the Upper East Side. I kept telling myself that I was going to retire in a year or two since I was turning 60 on March 30th. “Just one more year,” kept dragging on for me year after year, even after I had a tumor removed from the bottom of my foot. I was behaving like a racehorse that keeps running as fast as possible even as its heart is about to burst.

COVID-19 abruptly ended my self-abusive behavior. Now my body is somewhat out of shape, but I am not limping. This pandemic has taken its toll on those of us who loved our dance, gymnastics and other physical sports/arts. My heart goes out to my younger teacher friends who were just starting off their performing and teaching careers. For me, it was time to take a break. I find myself accepting and being grateful that I had to stop. Now, it is time to sit still here in my Pennsylvania retreat and figure out what I want to do next.

An additional positive outcome from this pandemic was working as a teacher’s part-time aide at Sullivan West High School in Lake Huntington for a short while. After spending 20 years as a part-time resident, it was wonderful to meet the people who live here in the community. I was incredibly impressed with the faculty and the high school students who handled themselves with great maturity during these difficult times. I miss them and I hope to return when I can get a vaccine.

2020, reflections

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