Dancin' with the oldies.

Published on April 12, 2006 By dharmagrl In Misc

Yesterday I was asked to go to a party at an assisted living community. They needed some volunteers to go dance with the elderly residents.

So today I've put on my best frock and my dancing shoes, applied some pretty pink lipstick and styled my hair, and I'm going to go waltz and two step with some nice 'young' ladies and gentlemen.

It's at the other end of the spectrum compared to what I did yesterday as a hospice volunteer....but it's all part of the experience.

I'm really looking forward to this.....old time dancing. How wonderful!

Comments

DJBandit

on Apr 12, 2006

Be there or be square, that's what I always say.

Maybe you should take a few scenes from Dirty Dancing and give these old folks what they really want. Might be their last chance

.

Have fun and say hi to Elvis for me. By th end of the day you'll be all shook up and ready to sleep with Teddy Bear at the Heartbreak Hotel.

Dr Guy

on Apr 12, 2006

Old time dancing?

I hope you have a great time. But what makes you think they wont want to do the Charleston?

jennybean

on Apr 12, 2006

That is a very sweet thing to do. Have a great time! Sounds like it could be a lot of fun!

dharmagrl

on Apr 12, 2006

Sounds like it could be a lot of fun

I WAS a lot of fun. I had a blast!

But what makes you think they wont want to do the Charleston?

Oddly enough, I know how to do that. I learned when I was a kid.

Maybe you should take a few scenes from Dirty Dancing and give these old folks what they really want. Might be their last chance

Nah, they weren't into that. They just wanted to talk to me.....and I was happy to listen. One old lady got up and danced with me, and she rested her head on my shoulder and wept. It was the first time she'd danced in many years, she said.

Trudygolightly

on Apr 12, 2006

One old lady got up and danced with me, and she rested her head on my shoulder and wept. It was the first time she'd danced in many years, she said.

ohhhh dharma good stuff here! what a wonderful blog

Dr Guy

on Apr 12, 2006

But what makes you think they wont want to do the Charleston?

Oddly enough, I know how to do that. I learned when I was a kid.

I am impressed! I learned, but would be very hard pressed to do it today!

DJBandit

on Apr 12, 2006

I am impressed! I learned, but would be very hard pressed to do it today!

Shame I don't know how to dance the Charleston, seeing as my name is Charles.

JillUser

on Apr 12, 2006

That actually sounds like fun. I used to love to go to the dinner/dances at my grandpa's VFW hall (except for the massive amounts of smoke). Those old guys really knew how to enjoy themselves. It is nice to be around people who appreciate every moment and make the best of it rather than most who are taking the moment for granted while planning whatever will come next.

I pictured you in a poodle skirt with a pink bow in your hair

island_gurl12

on Apr 12, 2006

How cool is that?! Sounds alot like something you would do Dharma, always there to help people or just be there, you inspire me! I bet you rocked their world

dharmagrl

on Apr 12, 2006

ohhhh dharma good stuff here

It was great stuff there too, Trudy. I thought about you whilst I was there, actually; I was thinking about how much you'd enjoy being there too.

I am impressed! I learned, but would be very hard pressed to do it today!

Thanks! I tried it out in the kitchen earlier, and I can still do it - a little rusty, but that's what happens when you don't do the Charleston for 20 odd years!

my name is Charles.

I saw that you had changed your name.....what prompted that?

It is nice to be around people who appreciate every moment and make the best of it rather than most who are taking the moment for granted while planning whatever will come next.

Bingo. They loved the music, the atmosphere, the companionship...they really showed me how to have a good time. A few of them asked me to please stay after the music had stopped, so I did.....and I'm going back on Tuesday to have lunch with them. It's not part of my hospice volunteering, but....I couldn't say no. They were so entertaining and so wonderful that I WANT to go back and see them. We're going to eat lunch and then visit a while and I think that my going there could be a regular thing. I'm going to take my laptop so I can show them all the photos I have on there; I think they'll get a kick out of the technology!!

I pictured you in a poodle skirt with a pink bow in your hair

I wore a peach and sage green paisley patterened peasant skirt, and I wore green toenail polish and peach lipstick. They ADORED my skirt, I had ladies coming up all morning telling me how pretty it was. They know how to pay a girl a compliment, let me tell you - I came away from there just glowing because they made me feel so good about myself!

How cool is that?!

It was VERY cool, and I can't wait to do it again.

dynamaso

on Apr 12, 2006

Sounds like you had a great time. I hoped you danced like no one was watching

dharmagrl

on Apr 13, 2006

I hoped you danced like no one was watching

I did, and it was great!

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