When I saw it, I realized I was too late. It was just a small item nestled between more important stories on the Internet news, but it also marked the end of a dream. I have always believed there was still time, and now I knew, I had waited too long. Roseland is closing!
I have been gifted with so many dreams that came true; love, life, and more blessings than I can count. Now suddenly, I am sadly aware, there really isn't anyone who remembers the girl who loved to dance. The blithe spirit of yesterday before she became wife, mother, and more realistically, a woman.
New York was an amazing place for me in the four years when I was between the ages of 15 and 19. I had finished high school early, found employment, started college in the evening and was thus emancipated to some degree by my parents and considered responsible.
There was music everywhere; wonderful, wonderful music and incredibly thrilling to dance to. And so we did. My two friends, Eleanor, Joan and I.
It was to some degree a time of innocence also. We traveled the circuit from Holy Innocents Church, tucked tightly into the garment center of New York, where a multi-racial band played magnificently every Saturday night closing with a fantastic arrangement of CHLOE, to wend our way uptown on the subway to St. Brendan's on Sunday evenings, the home of the then famous Theresa Brewer.
In between on the east side of the city, there was St. Vincent's on Friday evenings, and sometimes a tea dance at Manhattan College on Sunday afternoons.
I cannot remember how many pairs of Capezios I wore out, but there were many. All multi colored and expensive items from my meager salary.
Years later Andrew Greeley introduced me to Liam Lawton and his version of LORD OF THE DANCE. Liam Lawton's music was mentioned in one of Father Greeley's books, and when I asked him about it, within a week he had mailed me a copy of the recording. It now lives on my play list, and floods the house with powerful musical memories of yesteryear.
My dancing era ended one magical night when I met my Prince, and my life entered another stage. I have always believed, however, that one day there would be time, and I would still visit Roseland. A place I had only read about and yearned to visit during the music years.
The months, weeks and days passed. We traveled, and eventually returned to New York, but then there were children to watch and other obligations. And mistakenly, I still felt there was always more time. One day I would drive to Sunrise Highway, ride the LIRR, and just once go to Roseland. Maybe just to watch, maybe just to listen, and who knows, just maybe, one more dance.
I have coats of many colors throughout my lifetime. Some have been greeted with approval; others with disdain. Mostly, those who touched my life, however, approved of the image I projected. Sadly, there were and are several who never have. But, I don't believe there are any left who remember the girl who danced. My two friends drifted away about the time my life changed because perhaps we had all outgrown the music, or perhaps life led us down other paths. They were magical years, nevertheless, and while I realize LORD OF THE DANCE has many spiritual meanings, it also brings me back to being young, oh so innocent, and full of the wonder of life.
I guess there is still time to make a quick trip to Roseland, but I don't think it would be a good idea. Not because I am no longer young or limber, both true, but perhaps Roseland may no longer be the fairyland I always hoped to visit.
Life has taught me it is always wiser to keep dreams intact and not pull the velvet curtain aside. Some things, I believe, should remain in fantasy, and there Roseland will remain for the girl who once danced.
