PLIÉ, ONE, TWO, THREE and then into position for a pirouette. A dozen of us leapt and turned, practicing our dance from The Nutcracker for the school Christmas program. I’d studied ballet for five years, since I was seven, and loved it so much that I thought I might be a ballerina when I grew up. I couldn’t wait to dance in front of my classmates and their families. There was just one problem: My delicate pink ballet slippers were in tatters. I’d need a new pair to feel confident these last few weeks of practice.
One day after school, I gathered my courage and went to my mom with my request. My parents, who were Cuban immigrants, worked long hours to make ends meet, but they always found a way…
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The Joys Of Christmas (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2020