Lots of thoughts are running through my head. Here they are now.
The publisher of a newspaper for which I write asked me to write an upbeat story. Then he gave a suggestion. Maybe I could write about what I am looking forward to doing with the easing of COVID restrictions.
So even though I am still emotionally jangled over the pandemic – and not ready for COVID restrictions to be lifted – I wrote about what I am looking forward to. And I was thrilled! Mission accomplished! Whew! I pulled it off!
But then, a day or so later, I looked over my story. I told what I was looking forward to, but was it upbeat? And what the heck does it mean to be upbeat?
The dictionary provided a definition. It means to be cheerful and optimistic.
To tell the truth, I don’t know how I come off to readers. I hope they think I am honest. I hope they think I am able to identify my feelings. I hope they find me basically positive if for no other reason than my understanding that things could always be worse.
But that’s not cheerful and optimistic. I’m such a serious student of life, perhaps those adjectives are Mission Impossible for me.
Looking over my what-I-am-looking-forward-to story, there is a cheerful element I love. It’s a link to a YouTube video of Taylor Swift singing “Shake it Off.” I have watched it repeatedly. It’s so happy and peppy! It makes me want to get up and dance!
It’s like when the hora starts to play at a Jewish wedding. There is an explosion in my soul! I run for the dance floor! I wanna dance with somebody!
Oh! And what memories surround that song!
When my daughter was in high school, there was a dance to which the girls asked the boys. Of course, it was imperative to ask in an original way. Lisa’s friend had a plan. It employed a handful of her girlfriends and help from the school janitor who blasted that Whitney Houston song through the loudspeakers at lunchtime as the girls danced down the circular staircase that accessed the cafeteria.
The moms of all the dancers came to school to see the show. Trust me, we were a lot more delighted than the boy who was the focus of all the hubbub. Ultimately, he picked up his girlfriend and carried her away effectively ending the performance. But, oh man, it was a perfect Richard Gere/Debra Winger/An Officer and a Gentleman moment that made a perfect memory even more perfect!
But then, the combination of Lisa and dancing has always brought me joy. When she was still small enough to carry, if the song, “At the Hop,” came on the radio, we would hop, hop, hop together when the song did.
And as a teenager washing dishes at the kitchen sink, dancing was part of her gig. It was such a delight to see that I always told her I want her to tap dance on my grave because I want to carry the image with me into eternity.
And speaking of keep-it-forever memories, there was that time I danced with her – and my other two children – at my niece Sarah’s wedding. We carved out a little spot on the dance floor, and shared a song or two. Looking at my three dance partners was breathtaking! How could these adult – and accomplished – human beings be my children? I could have danced all night!
Hmm… My often-stated motto has been: When in doubt, eat. A healthier one would be: When in doubt, just dance! Get those endorphins pumping!
Coincidentally, in an effort to be a new and improved granny post-pandemic, I have been playing with my grandkids more, and in this manner, found a game called Just Dance. One can purchase a game system and the game, or do what I do, just dance along with YouTube videos of others playing the game.
In this manner, my granddaughter Avery and I danced to a song called “Timber.” The song calls for a panda and a person. I’m the panda! We were so proud of ourselves that we performed for the rest of her family, which is how my son Scott and grandson Leo next danced to “Old Town Road.” We recorded the boys dancing, but swore not to show it to anyone, hence no link here. But they were adorable, and afterward, I watched their dance repeatedly.
…Until four days later when Scott was riding his bike and it malfunctioned. This sent him flying over the handlebars, putting a gash in his head, and breaking his collarbone.
That brought my dancing mood to a screeching halt.
For days, I was terrified thinking of all the horrific what-ifs, which I won’t enumerate because I don’t want to give God any ideas. But then within days, Scott had surgery to repair the collarbone with a metal plate and eight bolts. And with those passing days, concussion-type symptoms dissipated. And then physical therapy got scheduled. At that point, I began to see all the what-ifs differently. They were the many ways that things could have been worse.
So, here I am, an honest person, in touch with my feelings, with a positivity born of the fact that it can always be worse. But an upbeat person? I don’t know about that.
As I return to watching that video of my son and grandson dancing, I marvel at the fact that Scott is using his arms like it’s no big deal. Currently, his body doesn’t work that way. But it will again soon God willing. Let’s wait until then to talk about being an upbeat dancing girl. For now, I’m going to focus on being grateful.
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Maybe the expression about getting some pep in your step is actually suggesting that the person dances in order to cheer up?! I know dancing is my solution to most problems…
I love that! Get some pep in your step! Perfect!
I’m in awe of writers, whatever they write, because it will contain, I believe, their thoughts and feelings, written to convey a message, and to possibly emit the readers own thoughts, feelings, and to entertain(making the reading enjoyable and capture the reader’s interest) So, Lorie, I’m in awe of you.
Now maybe this is my feelings, but as much as we’re looking to the end of the COVID restrictions and illness and deaths, we may have some trepidation about it all ending, inducing a bit of reluctance that will I be able to make the transition back to normalcy.
I agree, Stan. I have lots of trepidation about getting back to “normal.” Oy!
We loved this☺️!!
Meg, Scott, and kiddos
Glad to hear from you, my beloved dancing partners. Hugs to all.
That was a really fun newsletter, Lorie! Loved it! Makes me wanna dance, too!
Hi Vera, I am glad the story was so well received. Seems like lots of people have happy memories of dancing…
Great blog Lorie. As I was reading it, I kept thinking about the Odd Couples dance(s) at the high school for multiple years for Shana and Lisa with me and I believe one for you and Scott. Spaghetti dinner with salad followed by dance all night and ending with the traditional Shout song. Terrific memories… at least for me!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Stefan. Glad you have such happy memories of dancing. Hold them to you! As Simon and Garfunkel tell us: “preserve your memories, they’re all that’s left you…”
Great blog Lorie and thanks for the links! Fun watching Taylor Swift and that version of I Could Have Danced All Night blew me away! I would never have enjoyed that but for your blog – so I am grateful too! So many fun videos out there and the dance ones inspire but how can they dance so fast! I wouldn’t be able to keep up! Lol! Very sorry to learn of Scott’s accident and I hope he has a speedy recovery. Really enjoy your blogs!
Hi Lynn, Thanks for reading and for commenting. Maybe I really did write something upbeat with this one??!!!
Ditto from another Scott girl! Dancing and even watching others dance is exhilarating! The energy is totally uplifting! So, yes, you hit the “upbeat” nail on the head! Good job, Lorie!
Hi! So happy to hear from you. I haven’t had this many responses since I did a story that involved makeup. Lesson to the writer: write a story about makeup AND dancing. Nah, seriously, thanks for being in touch. Hope all is well with the Scott family!
My latest, favorite song to dance to is, 🎶Better When I’m Dancin’🎶 Fun song and really true for me. I ALWAYS feel better when I’m dancing 💃
So great to hear so many positive stories about dancing! Thanks for sharing this song. I hadn’t heard it until now.
https://www.facebook.com/573754984/posts/10159031534059985/
Just saw this today and was amazed at this great photography of dancers – wow!
OMG! Those are amazing dance moves and amazing photos! Thanks so much for sharing this link. I am sure other readers will LOVE it too.