Photo byIIONA VIRGINonUnsplash

Once upon a time, in the heart-twirling land of Oklahoma, where sunsets paint the sky the color of cotton candy and the prairies sing you lullabies, a lively bunch of kids would gather. They were the dance enthusiasts, the toe-tapping, twirling, two-stepping youngsters who simply couldn't help but move when music played. In amongst this boisterous group was a sprite named Flossy, a creature as colorful and unpredictable as Oklahoma's weather itself. Flossy was tiny, only reaching the height of a cowboy's boot, but what she lacked in size, she made up for in spunk. With hair as wild as the Redbud trees in spring and eyes sparkling like Lake Eufaula on a sunny day, she was a sight to behold! Flossy was the self-appointed coach of this dance troupe of giggling, jostling Okie kids. She would twirl and twist, leap and land, teaching them the steps to dances that the prairie wind had whispered in her ear. She was a tough little cookie-crumb, but she had a heart as big as the Blue Whale of Catoosa. The dance sessions were filled with laughter, with Flossy often landing on her backside, her wild hair standing straight up and her tiny fists shaking at the sky. The kids would howl with laughter, their sides aching, but they'd always help her up and get right back to dancing. These Oklahoma kids didn't just learn to dance; they learned to live - to embrace each moment with a giggle, a twirl, and a tumble. Much like their quirky little coach, they became embodiments of Oklahoma itself - full of life, color, and a never-say-die spirit.