Yesterday I took my youngest to basketball practice. Due to a fortuitous “who-has-the-keys-to-the-gym” kerfuffle, we ended up at an outside court, playing in the warm Indian summer afternoon.
During the 5-on-5, my baby caught a pass, spun and dropped the shot. Watching her glowing face, the pull of the clenched fist and the “yes,” shouted as she raced back for defense, I saw the passion that marks a contender. The girls played hard, and yet the venue painted the practice in playground colors, the drills and exercises more fun for the novelty of the day.
My older used the wide open area to work out her dance routines for tonight’s class. She kicked, sashayed and twirled, all long legs and lithe arms, to the songs streaming through her ear buds — each movement sure, yet delicate. Her stage is anywhere, and she would choreograph moves for a funeral dirge — though yesterday’s mellow sunshine seemed quite a bit more upbeat.
Both my daughters are athletes, graceful and strong. Each brings dedication and stubborn determination to excel at her sport. Today’s songwriter captured that dynamic in a song that became the theme of the women’s ACC tournament last year. Damien Horne is an emerging artist from Hickory, NC — who’s work captures a laid-back southern rock vibe.
She Can Play by Damien Horne
She is a hero in disguise
Whenever I watch herI’m mesmerized, Oh…
And when im’ near her I can see
Why I believe in Anything, oh
She can play she can move
Oh athena is it you
She can play she can fly
Aphrodite come to life
And she makes me makes makes me makes me feel this way. Cause she can play
She’s a fighter with one goal
Full of desire To win it all, Oh
She’s a survivor she won’t fall
This I know, this I know, oh oh
She can play she can move
Oh athena is it you
She can play she can fly
Aphrodite come to life
And she makes me makes makes me makes me feel this way.
(bridge) When she plays, all my troubles seem to fade away, when she plays I’m reminded there are better days, better days…
She can play she can move
Oh athena is it you
She can play she can fly
Aphrodite come to life
And she makes me makes makes me makes me feel this way. Cause She can play…she can play….
Today’s playlist today comes from my daughters. The two of them, being my girls, have created playlists to fuel their energy for performances and/or games.
girl list: Fireflies (Owl City — perfect to make up dances to); Should I Stay or Should I Go (the Clash – the younger has a thing for classic rock); Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (from Spamalot — I love that they love this song); Don’t Worry ’bout a Thing (SheDAISY – great philosophy); Fame (I like the classic, but the girls like the new cover from Naturi Naughton); In the Mood (the classic Glenn Miller cut); I Gotta Feeling (the Black-Eyed Peas — so 2009); Disturbia (Rihanna — talk about some parenting discussions, whew); I Stand (Idina Menzel — wow!); Suddenly I See (KT Tunstall); Ready for a Miracle (LeAnn Rimes, a lot more soul than you’d expect); Who Are You (the Who — classic); Love Story (Taylor Swift — sorry Kanye); Together Again (from Young Frankenstein — you ought to see the daughter performance of this one); 96,000 (from In the Heights — all the Army girls want to see this musical); Halo/Walking on Sunshine (a mash-up from Glee that the girls love); Transylvania Mania (again from Young Frankenstein — I think it’s closed on Broadway, sigh); Centerfield (John Fogerty — “put me in coach”); Defying Gravity (from Wicked — there is adulation of the show & the song); and of course, She Can Play (Damien Horne)
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart –> Confucius
Take care,
Aly
History Thru the Looking Glass 
Loved this one. Thanks for such clear visuals of the girls and such great musical choices from them.