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Mesu Andrews | The Eighty-Six-Year-Old Dancer
March 18, 2016
You know those interviews on blogs, where the author reveals something about
themselves you probably didn’t know? I’m about to do that. (Deep breath,
clearing my throat.) I was on a dance team during my senior year of high school. This may not seem
like a major revelation to some, but if you knew how utterly uncoordinated I am,
you’d gasp. I have two left feet and ten big toes. It’s tragic, really. The team’s director had only one reason for allowing me within fifty yards of
her national-championship dance team: I could twirl a rifle—you know the color
guard fiberglass rifle-looking thing? Yep. I could spin it, toss it, catch it,
hoist it, and set nice crisp angles on call. And Ms. D. wanted her dance team to
incorporate rifles into their routine for that year. She and I struck a deal. I
would teach her petite, graceful beauties to twirl those fiberglass sticks. In
exchange, her best dancers would teach me to move in some sort of rhythm without
falling on my face. Her dance instructors got the raw end of that deal. Why am I telling you this? Because in MIRIAM, my new release, the
title character dances. She’s eighty-six-year-old, and she dances! Seriously? Do you know the story—Moses, the Ten Commandments, Charlton Heston, Disney’s Prince of Egypt? My story
begins with Miriam believing her life is nearing the end despite her family
history of long lives (her parents are still living at 137 and 110 years old).
She’s understandably disheartened, having lived her whole life as a Hebrew slave
in Egypt, and she’s ready to leave this cruel world. Her bones creak, and she
has to rock back-and-forth a few times to get to her feet. Does this sound like
much of a heroine? Enter Moses, her brother. Remember him from the Ten Commandments or
maybe you Disney’s Prince of Egypt. Whether you’ve
watched the movies or read the biblical account in Exodus 3-15, they all record
the epic battle between Pharaoh and the Hebrew God, the plagues, and the parting
of the Red Sea. But none of them considered the story from Miriam’s
point-of-view. Or from the perspective of other Hebrew slaves—a harem maid
banished from the palace or a soldier slave who serves the firstborn prince? When I read the Bible story, I wanted to know how Pharaoh’s stubborn refusal to
“Let Yahweh’s people go!” affected the folks who didn’t have Moses’s intimate
knowledge of God’s next move. Can you imagine how terrifying those plagues would
have been to “normal” people like you and me? Most of them had no warning the
Nile would turn to blood or the locusts would destroy their crops. While writing MIRIAM, I
found it challenging to imagine the Egyptian plague scenes while sitting in my
suburban two-story home. The miraculous parting of the Red (Reed) Sea also
stretched my imagination even when I visited the nearby Columbia River and tried
to envision it. But I was completely fascinated by the eighty-six-year-old
dancer who stood on the opposite shore after crossing the Red Sea on dry ground… “Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her
hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.” (Exodus 15:21
NIV) Why make such a big deal of Miriam’s dancing? Because I know how difficult it
was for me as a teenager. I couldn’t appreciate golf until I tried to play
eighteen holes. The most powerful impact of historical and biblical fiction
comes when we climb into the character’s skin, remembering that they were real
people who lived with real limitations, flaws, and yearnings. Think of an
eighty-six-year-old that you know, and try to imagine her doing a jig
with a tambourine. Stories like Miriam’s are told and retold for generations—even millennia—because
they inspire. Let’s face it. No one cares that I felt like a tortoise in tennis
shoes when I danced, but when an elderly lady runs across a dry sea bed and
leads a nation of women in dancing…now someone should write a book about that.
So I did. Do you know a Miriam? A mother, an aunt, a senior saint in your church, who
defies her aging body and leads with spunk and determination? Share a little
about her if you’d like. GiveawayTell us if you know or are a Miriam. One commenter will win a copy of MIRIAM and a Bath & Body
Works gift card worth 10.00.
Mesu Andrews’ deep understanding of and love for God’s Word
brings the biblical world alive through her highly-acclaimed historical/biblical
novels. Her sixth book, Miriam: A Treasures of the Nile Novel, released
March 15, 2016.
The Hebrews call me prophetess, the Egyptians a seer.
But I am
neither. I am simply a watcher of Israel
and the messenger of El
Shaddai.
When He speaks to me in dreams, I interpret. When He
whispers a melody, I sing. At eighty-six, Miriam had devoted her
entire life to loving El Shaddai and serving His people as both midwife and
messenger. Yet when her brother Moses returns to Egypt from exile, he brings a
disruptive message. God has a new name – Yahweh – and has declared a radical
deliverance for the Israelites. Miriam and her beloved family face an
impossible choice: cling to familiar bondage or embrace uncharted freedom at an
unimaginable cost. Even if the Hebrews survive the plagues set to turn the Nile
to blood and unleash a maelstrom of frogs and locusts, can they weather the
resulting fury of the Pharaoh? Enter an exotic land where a cruel Pharaoh
reigns, pagan priests wield black arts, and the Israelites cry out to a God
they only think they know.
Comments
28 comments posted.
Re: Mesu Andrews | The Eighty-Six-Year-Old Dancer
I have known many Miriam's in my life. Since I am Jewish it
was very interesting to encounter these women. My mother was a
selfless, devoted mother who was determined to do as much as
possible in her lifetime even though she lived during the
depression without a father.
(Sharon Berger 11:55am March 18, 2016)
This is very interesting to me I enjoyed reading this
article
(Julie Bolduc 2:23pm March 18, 2016)
Yep, I know many ladies that are very spry for their age. I
met most of them through the world of weaving and other
fiber arts. They are use to working hard with their hands
and also being creative. They often have other lives - a
pilot, an archeobotanist, etc.
(Susan Voss 3:29pm March 18, 2016)
A long time ago, I knew a woman in Roswell, NM, who was the
manager of a health food store at 86. She was also the gold
medalist in swimming in the Senior Olympics for several years
running. She taught yoga classes as well. I was in my twenties
and remember wishing I had half her energy. I could barely
keep up with her but learned a lot for the effort.
(Karen Haas 4:01pm March 18, 2016)
I did know one, my grandmother. She died when my first daughter was just a baby. Granny in her heyday could out walk anyone and could jump up in my brothers jeep better than I could. She was a hoot.
(Linda Henderson 9:32pm March 18, 2016)
My mother-in-law is a Miriam! She will be 86 this
August, but she looks and acts at least 20 years younger.
She gets out and about with her friends all the time and
travels quite a bit, as well. She hates to be stuck at
home. Also like Miriam, she is very strong in her faith
and definitely someone to be admired. My own mother has
passed away, but I am very blessed to have such a Godly,
loving, gracious, and spunky mother-in-law!
(Kathryn DiDomizio 11:27pm March 18, 2016)
My mother is a Miriam, working with children since her conversion when
I was a child. She's 86 now and runs circles around me, although not as
fast as she once did. Her mind isn't as crisp as Miriam, but she tries her
best to serve and still sends out greeting cards -- paper, not electronic -
- for everyone in her church. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, even
the first visit to her church is noted by a handwritten card.
(Angie Arndt 6:12am March 19, 2016)
How wonderful to read about an 86 year old dancer.
(Gloria Zimmer 10:07am March 19, 2016)
How wonderful - there are many Miriams at our church and I appreciate them all!
Thanks.
(Dianne McVetty 11:31am March 19, 2016)
My mother is a Miriam. She was always the life of the party and loved to entertain and dance.
(Beatrice Pierre 12:05pm March 19, 2016)
My Mother was my Miriam.She lived a full life and passed away at the age of 102 years old
(Jean Benedict 12:45pm March 19, 2016)
My mother was a Miriam. She rose above many challenges in her life - 3 miscarriages before I was born, married to a double amputee who lost his legs on Anzio Beach, and successfully fighting cancer twice (unfortunately she lost the third battle).
(Nancy Marcho 2:22pm March 19, 2016)
No I don't know anyone with the name Miriam. It is a lovely name.
(Rita Wray 6:01pm March 19, 2016)
My grandma is a Miriam. She is almost 90 and acts the same
as she did when I was little.
(Carrie Edmunds 6:50pm March 19, 2016)
The condo I live in has a lot of retirees and they are all inspiring and show me that age is just a number and they are always living life to its fullest.
Also wanted let you know that Prince of Egypt was not Disney, it was DreamWorks animation.
(Pam Howell 6:59am March 20, 2016)
My grandmother was a Miriam! She was so full of life and
spunk! Nothing EVER got her down. She always told me she
would live to be at least 100, but sadly she left us as 57
after a massive heart attack. I miss her greatly every
single day...
(Lacey Burd 7:50am March 20, 2016)
My mother is a Miriam, always upbeat and positive.
(Mary Lynn Hayes 9:38pm March 20, 2016)
My Great Grandmother was a Miriam, she taught me to belly
dance. I miss her very much.
(Babbette Clark 12:06pm March 21, 2016)
I don't know any Miriams yet
(Nicole Kuiper 3:06pm March 21, 2016)
I'mlucky enough to know many Miriam's, one in particular stands out in my mind. While Judy is nowhere near the age of 86 (I'm guessing that she's in her mid-60's), she has that same kind of "Miriam" mindset, and I love her dearly for it!
(Lynn Rettig 3:26pm March 21, 2016)
I find myself very lucky to say that the Miriam I know is my mother. She is so
full of love, and so selfless. She is always giving to others, myself included.
(Lily Shah 3:59pm March 21, 2016)
My aunt is Miriam. She is a special character. There is no
one like her. She is a survivor of ovarian cancer (30
years!) I am interested in reading your book.
(Sandy Mangarella 5:16pm March 21, 2016)
I know some ladies in my church that I would consider to be Miriam. These elderly ladies are the backbone of the church and seem to work circles around most of us. I am amazed by their energy.
(Anna Speed 11:55am March 22, 2016)
My grandma was a Miriam. I am not that is for sure!
(Denise Austin 1:59pm March 22, 2016)
When I was a child I was taugt ballet and modern dance by Toni Intravaia.
Now, in her 90s, she continues to edit the Sacred Dance Guild Journal and
to teach dance.
(Mary Ann Dimand 6:00pm March 22, 2016)
lol, my name is Melody and people have been whispering and shouting my name all my life! And yes, like many before me, I have had a Miriam in my life. Not for some time, as she passed some time ago, but I have some very fond memories of family times together. This sounds like a very entertaining novel and I welcome the chance to win it and reflect upon those days gone by with my Aunt Miriam and Uncle Curry. Thank you.
(Melody Kaufman 9:03pm March 22, 2016)
My Aunt Mary was my Miriam. She was wonderful, and so helpful. We miss her.
(Deb Pelletier 9:23pm March 22, 2016)
Hello I won, but haven't heard from anyone ???
(Deb Pelletier 5:23pm April 27, 2016)
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