There were so many things that happened this last weekend at ERBC... but I really wanted to tell you all about my favorite moment. I hope you will find it as touching as I did.

Sunday was the Muses (troupe) category and one of the troupes had a mommy with three young daughters in attendence in the audience with their grandmother.

I had been running since Thursday night and had decide that I would sit at the judges table and watch this category as we had never been able to have this category before. So after I would announce the next act I would walk forward off the stage and sit at the end of the table near the speakers where I would be able to see but be out of the judges way.

As I sat down I realized there was a small girl at my elbow, trying very hard to see through me and the judge sitting next to me. I don't know why but I slid back a little and the little girl took this as an invitation to climb up in my lap. Now I didn't mind, as small children seem to be attracted to me and follow me around.

As soon as she was settled into my lap she leaned into my ear and whispered, "That's my Mommy." and pointed to one of the dancers in the troupe. After that she barely took her eyes off her mom.

As I watched the troupe perform, I realized I was surrounded by children... at my right elbow, squezzed in between myself and the judge next to me was the twin of the one in my lap. When she realized that I was looking down at her she looked at me and said, "Isn't Mommy beautiful?" I said confirmed to the child that I thought she was beautiful as well. At my left elbow was the slightly older sister of the twins, whose eyes were always huge and never left her mothers performance. When it was done she whispered, "I'm very proud of her." I don't know that she meant to say that out loud as she didn't seem to be saying it to me or anyone inparticular.

All three children screamed and clapped when the troupe was done... you would have thought they had just seen Hannah Montana the way they were carrying on.

It took me a little while to get up and introduce the next act. Not because I had to extract myself from three small girls, but becasue I had to compose myself. I was so overwhelmed by the shear joy and love these three girls had for their mom and watching her perform with the troupe.

That was my favorite part of this year's Emerald Rain Bellydance Comp.