Yesterday, July 23rd, was an important day for my family.
Ben celebrated his 13th birthday, so now we have 2 teenagers.
We were also invited to see the start of the Olympic Torch Relay from Trinity Laban Dance Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich.
Our connection with Laban is through my much missed sister in law, Victoria.
http://365project.org/seanoneill/365/2012-02-04
Victoria attended Laban, taught there, and wrote a text book abaout Laban notation. It was her spiritual home. Before she died I talked to her about our family setting up something in her memory, to keep her name and memory alive.
Victoria asked me and the rest of the family to talk to the Laban about sponsoring a student through their two week summer school each year. We have now succuesfuly awarded the Victoria Worsfold Griffiths Bursary for the last 4 years.
Yesterday we were privileged to be invited to see the Torch Relay, and then view some photographs from the Rudolf Laban archives, before meeting Stephen, the recipient of this year's bursary. Finally we were shown the work of the Summer School and got to see Stephen dancing in class.
The morning at Laban was a poignant time for us, because it brings our loss sharply into focus, but it also helped us to celebrate Victoria's life and passion for dance. We all miss Victoria with a pain in our hearts that will never recede. The wonderful people at Laban, the kindness, sensitivity and tenderness that they show to our family is a positive force for all of us. It brings us closer to Victoria, allowing us to enter her world, which will never be a bad thing.
In the afternoon we took a boat ride from Greenwich to the London Eye, went to the London Aquarium, and then onto the Hard Rock Cafe for a late lunch, Ben's birthday treat.
Ben was lucky enough to have his photo taken with the Olympic Torch. He was thrilled to be able to.
