Edie “Syria” Osborne (Austin, TX)
I believe my Grandmother would embrace anything that I was driven to do or accomplish. I was very close to my
Grandmother and named after her. She was a Wise Woman beyond her years and was the pillar in our very large
family and made sure that we all were together at least once a year for Christmas or Thanksgiving. I can totally see
her asking me to dance for everyone at one of those family reunions! I miss her dearly. She left this earth when I was
a freshman in high school but I know that she and my Dad are watching me now and dancing with me in Heaven.
Loretta Ehrlund (San Antonio, TX).
My grandmothers came from an era where they went through two world wars and
lived through the Great Depression. I don’t think they thought about leisure time. My
own mother died before I started dancing, so I don’t know what she’d have said. But
my brothers and sister think it’s ok and know that it is a hobby for me and that I find
personal interest in being the best I can be at whatever I try to do. My peers think it’s
great but they “wouldn’t have the courage to do it”. I think they don’t know how much
fun it is; how many friends they’d have; how empowered they’d feel. I’ve spent a lot of
money buying tickets to my recitals trying to get them to come and yet no takers. Their
loss, not mine.
Anonymous…
Sad to say, my whole family comes from a very traditional background and feel that any kind of dance is a sin and
against their beliefs. They think that any expression of soul or interpretation of music will lead to more unhealthy
and immoral behaviors. When I take class they think I am at the gym lifting weights.
Denise “Sahara” Massura (Chicago, IL)
I was the first grandchild on my mom’s side. I was the apple of my Grandma Pauline’s eye.
When she looked at me you could see the pride in her eyes and smile. When speaking to others,
she talked about me with such pride in everything I did, whether it was dancing, Campfire
Girls, singing (and believe me I am no singer!). When I went to beauty school at 16, she was
the first person to let me experiment with color and cutting. I am good now at what I do but at
16, still in school, my skills had much to be desired. She ALWAYS praised me. When I became
a nurse’s aid and EMT, she was very proud too. It was the way she looked and smiled at me,
I knew. I am absolutely 100% certain that she would make it to as many performances as she
could, cheering, clapping and zagareeting - supporting me all the way.
AMAYA
Amaya resides in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New
Mexico. She enjoys an eclectic life of green roasted chilis, sunflower
harvesting, writing, sunset gazing, fire fly dancing and scratching the
heads of her boys, Mr. Smith, Buddy (rogue Scottie Terriers) and Partner
Pete. For more info on Amaya’s dance see www.wisewomandancer.com
50
The Belly Dance Chronicles
October 2015