On February 1st, two events glittered happily on my horizon. We were successfully booked to celebrate our big anniversary in Thailand, Cambodia and Bhutan. And Salsa Libre had been offered our potentially best-yet gig. Days later, the two events imploded in my calendar: The gig was scheduled for the same night as our flight for Asia.

I know it was ridiculous to feel sad. But I did. Now if this gig had been scheduled mid-trip, unfortunate, and I’d get over it. But this timing – my salsa sisters stepping on the dance floor as I stepped on the plane – this felt like a cruel joke.

Hadn’t anyone “in charge” noticed my beautiful, auspicious dream?

Happily, there was leeway with Mark and the travel company to change our tickets. If you don’t count the lack of sleep we’ll endure as a result, there are some unexpected benefits to our altered itinerary. Excellent.

Then our choreographer made an announcement: only those who passed a challenging audition would dance this performance.

I thought of my glorious dance dream. But this time a different soundtrack played in my ears. I heard the strident, mechanical voice in the London tube warning, “Mind the Gap.”

The last two weeks of heavy rehearsal, and tough critique, atop regular life and trip prep have been riddled with frustration, sleeplessness, stress and meltdowns. Oh yeah, I signed up for it. And now I’m asking for the grace to accept the best outcome for all.

Wish me luck for the audition.