The Nutcracker



This lion nutcracker was at the entrance to the Cincinnati Zoo's
Festival of Lights.


Last night we went to see the Cincinnati Ballet's performance of "The Nutcracker." I sat there near tears feeling so incredibly fortunate to be able to enjoy the artistry of those highly-skilled ballet dancers along with the music of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The sets were beautiful. The dancing was exquisite, and I felt chills race down my spine as I listened to Tchaikovsky. I am a very lucky woman.

As we left, we were pushed along with the crowd hurrying to our cars in the 20-degree cold. We passed a homeless woman and I wanted to stop and dig through my purse to give her something, but was swept up with the swarm of people moving briskly down the sidewalk. I wanted to give the woman what I'd been given that evening: a chance to dress up and go out for a wonderful dinner at a nice restaurant, expensive tickets to a metropolitan ballet, rich chocolate truffles and the magic of "The Nutcracker." In truth, I would have only given her a few dollars. Nothing compared to the riches I'd enjoyed last night. But I wish I had stopped and shared something.