Dear Friends,
Happy 80th Birthday!
A week ago my family had a wonderful celebration for my father’s 80th birthday. He specifically insisted against a large party and instead we had a perfect family sleepover together in my childhood home.
We went for 3-mile walks in the morning around the hills by their house.
My hubby prepared my dad’s favorite meal: Alaskan King Crab, among other side dishes like abalone rice and heirloom tomatoes, and he also bought extra crab so my dad could freeze it and enjoy more later on his own.
We surprised him with cake and balloons at a dinner he had with his friends (thank you Jo Shen for keeping our plans a secret and letting us crash your dinner party!).
My nieces and daughters created their own scavenger hunt / escape room around the house for their grandpa, filled with puzzles, riddles and really hilariously hard math problems generated by Chat GPT, that led to our family gift.
We created a picture frame and collaborated on “80 Reasons Why We Love You.” The girls took turns reading all of our sentences out loud and it was so special to hear all the funny and sentimental ideas that came up, from catching spiders to tutoring the girls in math to washing my mom’s hair in the sink when she broke her wrist to my husband’s cheesy comment, “for raising a beautiful daughter that I could marry.”
When I look at my dad, he doesn’t “look” 80 at all and it’s because his mind is always curious and learning about new things, his body exercises everyday from taking my dance class 3x a week virtually (AND even the Wednesday Strength class!!!) to walking 10,000 steps, and his heart and spirit really have the right priority:
Be happy.
I'm so grateful and lucky to have such a loving, hard-working, attentive, thoughtful and brilliant father! If you would like to see highlights from his birthday celebration, click here or on the image below!
Happiest 80th birthday Dadpoo!
What's Happening in September?
We love celebrating special events together! September is packed with birthdays, fundraisers and even a first-time book launch class! Please mark your calendars and join us as we support our dance community!
THIS Thursday, September 4th
9:30am Stop Drop and Dance @UUMarin
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN WRIGHT!
Theme: Wear Monochrome colors (same color or shade top and bottom)
Thursday, September 11th
9:30am Stop Drop and Dance @UUMarin
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATHERINE GRANVILLE!
Theme: Come as your Inner Goddess (which could be an outfit or a state of mind or both)
Tuesday, September 16th
9:30am Stop Drop and Dance @UUMarin
HAPPY BOOK LAUNCH "Multicolored Monono" BY NICOLE BAILEY!
Theme: Wear anything Multicolored!
*You can pre-order her book NOW and then bring it to class on this day to get it signed by Nicole!*
Thursday, September 18th
9:30am Stop Drop and Dance @UUMarin
ANONYMOUS FUNDRAISER FOR A LOCAL FAMILY'S KIDS IN NEED!
Please support a fellow dancer who is raising money anonymously for a local family friend's children who lost their chief breadwinner. Funds will be spent directly to purchase needed clothes and supplies for these kids. Donation Link Here
Friday, September 19th
10:00am-10:45am Stop Drop and Dance Fundraiser @Saint Isabella School
4TH ANNUAL SAINT ISABELLA SCHOOL DANCE-A-THON!
Over the last 3 years, we have led this Dance-a-thon fundraiser for Saint Isabella School and we have raised a total of over $50,000! We are excited to dance again this year and please reach out if you are available to be a backup dancer for this school event, or if you are a parent or alumni of this school!
Saturday, September 20th
9:30am Stop Drop and Dance @UUMarin
FREE CLASS FOR NATIONAL DANCE DAY!
We are celebrating National Dance Day by offering a free class to EVERYONE! Please invite your friends, kids or parents, and share the joy of Stop Drop and Dance with them!
Thursday, September 25th
9:30am Stop Drop and Dance @UUMarin
ALISON WILLIAMS, MELISSA IRISH AND SHEL SAXON'S
SUSAN G. KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER
These three dancers have committed to joining the 3-day walk in San Diego in November. Ali will be walking all 3 days and Shel and Melissa will be walking 1 day and volunteering 1 day. All proceeds from the class will go directly to help fund research, support services, and advocacy through Susan G. Komen. Donation Link Here
Theme: Wear PINK!
If you have a special event or fundraiser idea, please reach out to Grace at grace@thepowerwithgrace.com.
Be the Light of the World
I believe that we are all bright lights in this world. However, the brokenness, the pain, and the hurt of life can suppress this inner light we have, and it is our work to keep finding ways to let our light shine through.
One way we shine bright is by staying aligned with our truest purpose and sharing our deepest passion with others.
Only 3 weeks ago, we held a Stop Drop and Dance fundraiser with Mika and Kaleo Chow for Kliptown Youth Program in South Africa, and we raised $4600 towards building a music room at KYP and purchasing new instruments. The co-founder and Director of Performing Arts, Thanduxolo (Thando) Bezana, was the heart of this KYP music program.
Over the past 10 years, he also was the artist-in-residence for a few weeks each spring at Mark Day School in San Rafael, teaching dancing, drumming, and singing with students from grades K-8. My kids had the privilege of learning from him the past 8 years and, 2 summers ago we were so fortunate to be a part of the delegation to travel to South Africa and actually witness Thando's magic with all the students at KYP.
Watching Thando fully in his musical element was always an electric, infectious and literally glowing experience.
Whenever he performed or led a group, Thando was able to create palpable energy. His voice, rhythm and body was so powerful that my heart would pound, my body would bounce, and my eyes would often tear up, because he was truly AWESOME and INSPIRING at what he did.
Last week, we received the tragic news that Thando had a heart attack and passed away suddenly. He was 39 years old.
After moving through the shock and the sadness, I realized that I had so many wonderful videos that I filmed of Thando over the years: whether it was leading the students in South Africa, presenting assemblies at Mark Day School, or even dancing on stage with me at my Stop Drop and Dance class. Sharing these videos is my way of helping to spread the light and legacy Thando left with me and thousands of other people.
Thando's light on Earth was so bright because he was truly following his purpose and sharing his passion with others. Even though he is no longer physically here, his impact and the lives he touched will keep his light glowing.
Sending love and prayers to Thando's family and all who are grieving, especially those closest to him at KYP. We will miss you Thando.
"Know what sparks the light in you. Then use that light to illuminate the world."
- Oprah Winfrey
Love,
Grace
