In Ireland, all ages dance with each other. Plus my step dancing teacher in County Leitrim honors the elders and encourages youth to listen to their stories.
Wonderful. I love Zydeco music! And more to the point, at age 72 I think more often and more gloomily about the negatives of getting older. You've reminded me that there are other ways to look at it.
Whenever I see 20s, 30s, 40s, etc having a great time doing things I can no longer do gracefully...I don't feel left out. Because I did it then as they are doing it now. So, I sit back and enjoy them and in my mind think - it's your turn. (If they're lucky, and live long enough, they can give their turn over the the next group as we have)
I take your point, Helayne. I feel that way, too. Not mutually exclusive. My point is that you CAN still do it gracefully. (Check out the videos.) You just need a welcoming place to do it. Personally, I'm not ready to stop dancing.
What a beautiful, heartwarming post. I used to do Zumba with a group of women at the YMCA. Most of us were tired young mothers catching some endorphins while our babies were being watched in the nursery next door, but we also had women in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s dancing with us. I lost my grandmothers to cancer before I could really remember them, so I cherished getting to dance with those vivacious women who not only kept up but challenged me! By the way, Gaywynn sounds delightful. :)
In Ireland, all ages dance with each other. Plus my step dancing teacher in County Leitrim honors the elders and encourages youth to listen to their stories.
I remember seeing the photos of you playing your music in Ireland. By the way, it's been inspiring watching you publish your work through the years!
Thanks Richard,
I love reading your Substack. In January, I will have a new novel released
Great news!
Great fun to read your writing and thoughts.
Thanks so much, Jody.
Wonderful. I love Zydeco music! And more to the point, at age 72 I think more often and more gloomily about the negatives of getting older. You've reminded me that there are other ways to look at it.
Thanks, Laura!
Whenever I see 20s, 30s, 40s, etc having a great time doing things I can no longer do gracefully...I don't feel left out. Because I did it then as they are doing it now. So, I sit back and enjoy them and in my mind think - it's your turn. (If they're lucky, and live long enough, they can give their turn over the the next group as we have)
I take your point, Helayne. I feel that way, too. Not mutually exclusive. My point is that you CAN still do it gracefully. (Check out the videos.) You just need a welcoming place to do it. Personally, I'm not ready to stop dancing.
What a beautiful, heartwarming post. I used to do Zumba with a group of women at the YMCA. Most of us were tired young mothers catching some endorphins while our babies were being watched in the nursery next door, but we also had women in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s dancing with us. I lost my grandmothers to cancer before I could really remember them, so I cherished getting to dance with those vivacious women who not only kept up but challenged me! By the way, Gaywynn sounds delightful. :)
Thank you! And, yes, Gaywynn is delightful!