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My journalistic brain says I should be commenting on the mess the White House press briefings have become or the behind closed doors meetings on the Affordable Care Act, but lets just leave it at the people's right to know is being trampled upon more and more.
So I will instead go with my journalistic heart. Here is what my heart is saying.
Last Saturday I attended the 70th Betty Hayes Dance Recital at the high school auditorium in Richland Center. I had two granddaughters dancing, one 15 and one 14. Dance has been their passion for many years and I feel they are incredible dancers. I am sure anyone with a dancer taking the stage feels the same.
Like everything worthwhile, dancing takes work. Listening to them talk about their dance classes and what they have to do to learn their routines and perform them with others makes me proud they are doing it.
I don't know the capacity of the auditorium but I do know it is huge and most seats had someone in them. Performing in front of a large crowd is a benefit that will be used throughout their lives.
I have attended dance recitals ever since my daughters performed. None of them went on to become professional dancers but they have gone on to be great mothers and contributors to their communities. Betty Hayes has had something to do with that.
I was pleased that Betty had the alumni dancers who had second and third generation dancers performing introduced. Many years flashed through my mind at that part of the show.
This was one of the longest performances I have sat through as it took four hours. But each routine performed was excellent and the dancers were having a great time, which made the time fly. Watching the dancers perform put me in a great mood for the day.
There was a wonderful tribute to Betty's late husband, Lee, who traveled most of those 70 years with her. He was a fine gentleman who is missed.
Seventy years...wow.
People say time goes by fast when you are having fun. I am guessing those 70 years have gone past very fast for Betty.
And the good thing is she plans to return for number 71.
Thanks Betty for playing a huge part of so many lives.