Too much sorrow
She found her bliss in ballroom dancing later in life and asked me to paint this for her a few years ago - and yet another for her dear friend. Yes, Asian, yes, Californian, but thankfully not in the tragedy that unfolded last weekend.
My heart is wrenched open for the beautiful people affected by this latest of tragedies. They were gathered together for joy - for community, celebration, color, and such an exquisite form of exercise, dance. In a better world, they would still be celebrating the joy of the Year of the Rabbit.
To ballroom dancers everywhere, I lift my paintbrush to you.
Art and Words by Beverly Ash Gilbert