I meant to post this earlier in the week but found it much more difficult to write than I anticipated.  In the back of my mind, I knew that publishing it would make the news real.  As a Star Wars fan, Carrie Fisher’s death was a huge blow.  Losing Debbie Reynolds in the same week was too much.  I needed time to process and carefully plan out what I want and need to say.  Picture this: The late 90s.  A small college theater.  A six year old girl wearing a lime green costume a couple sizes too big.  Only two other girls onstage.  Gene Kelly’s voice begins to sing.  Umbrellas twirl until there is no more music.  That was my first dance recital.  The genre was tap, the song Singing in the Rain.  Over the course of my childhood, I repeated every line and mimicked every step; I watched that musical until the VHS tape was completely worn out.  To this day, it holds a special place in my heart.  I was too young to understand what was happening when Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor died so this news is hitting me especially hard.  However, I don’t want you to think that I am ending 2016 on a depressing note.  Debbie Reynolds’ smile was infectious, and I want that to be the ending to the year.  Face 2017 with a smile!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB2yiIoEtXw