The Art of Dancing

However, as times changed, so did the commitment to ensuring children could pursue their passions.

Parents increasingly dedicated themselves to traveling long distances, often braving harsh weather, to attend tournaments, recitals, and competitions. How many hours were spent on the road travelling to and from events? Was it quality family time or just a long drive. Was the effort to support kids’ dreams not just about the destination but the journey itself, fostering resilience and togetherness along the way?

We supported our children to the best of our abilities in what they wanted to pursue. I have always been thankful that hockey was not one of the sports they wanted to pursue. School sports were always high on the list as well as fastball and/or baseball.

During the Covid pandemic families learned to stay home again and stop driving and being so busy. As we all know, once the pandemic doors opened up again, people got right back on the racetrack and participated in as many activities as they could cram into their children’s lives.

What does this have to do with me now?

I keep thinking about what we do in our youth, adolescence years – can we carry these skills forward? How many of you still play hockey, basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball, hip hop dance, ballet, etc.?

It wasn’t long after I had graduated from high school that I realized the importance of being able to old time dance. I am talking about the polka, heel-toe polka, waltz, two step, fox trot, jive, salsa, tango and so many other dances that are popular at weddings or community shindigs (what a great old word). All of a sudden, I found myself being invited to shindigs and having two left feet when it came to dance with your aunt or uncle, grandparents or parents.

The decision was made, my future husband and I need to take old time dancing / ballroom dancing and learn the art of dance. And that is what we did – took lessons. We attended classes for about eight weeks. There was some hand scrunching done (lead when I shouldn’t), a little cursing, etc. But at the end of eight weeks, we received our certificate in old time dancing. And the best part was, we could not only dance with ourselves but other people as well.

Attending weddings and shindigs became a place where we could practice what we had learned and enjoy this style of dancing, which is also really good exercise! What used to be uncomfortable became a lot of fun.

After 20 years of marriage and raising three children, I decided it was time for them to learn some old-time dancing.

For my birthday that year, four of us attended an all day-old time dance seminar. (Our oldest daughter was in university so she got a pass.) The kids and my husband figured they would humor me as it was my birthday wish. Getting up early on a Saturday morning wasn’t exactly their idea of having a good time. But as the day progressed, everyone loosened up and started enjoying themselves. We all had a good time and created a great memory. What was discovered that this art of connection through movement can become an emblem of familial harmony.

For instance, at weddings, when the music starts and the dance floor fills, it’s not uncommon to see younger family members twirling with their older relatives. These intergenerational dances are beautiful metaphors for the blending of past and present, a gesture that acknowledges the wisdom of the elders while embracing the energy and enthusiasm of youth. Knowing how to dance with your aunts and uncles allows you to partake in these moments of cohesion and celebration.

A few years later my son and I took dancing lessons together. He was bored and so was I. I found an ad for dancing lessons and we decided sure why not under one condition: I couldn’t tell his friends why he was always busy on Tuesday evenings. For eight or ten weeks my son and I attended these classes and had a great time together. Supper afterwards usually and some nice quality time together along with a lot of laughs.

My son picked up dancing extremely well and I told him he would become a “chick magnet” as what women don’t love to dance? Unfortunately for him he kept picking girl friends who didn’t dance. Lol! Eventually he found one that was willing to try and keep up with his fancy two stepping.

And when we get together at a family function the aunts and cousins all love a round of dancing with him, and often it is in the kitchen. The dances shared with his aunts are not just fleeting moments; they are experiences that linger in the heart long after the music fades. These occasions often become the stories told at future gatherings, accompanied by laughs and fond recollections. The joy of a spontaneous dance-off with an uncle or a graceful turn with an aunt becomes a treasured memory, immortalized in family lore. (My son and I still enjoy a round of dancing as well and have a couple of favorite songs we love to dance to.)

Dancing is not only a joyful activity but also a healthy one. It promotes physical fitness, improves coordination, and boosts mood. When shared with loved ones, the benefits extend to emotional wellness as well, creating a sense of belonging and happiness.

Why learn to dance when you are younger as well as a sport? You can dance until you take your last step in life basically. You can still two-step or waltz when you are 80 or 90, but doubtful that you will be playing hockey at the arena or basketball on a court. Embrace the “dance”.

So, the next time you find yourself at a family gathering with music playing, seize the opportunity to dance with your aunts and uncles or your partner. Embrace the rhythm, share the laughter, and create moments that will forever resonate in the heart. After all, every step is a step closer to understanding, appreciating, and celebrating the unique bond of family.

And the song I have chosen is “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles. This song always gets a crowd up to dance at a shindig. The song had been pre-released by the Top Notes and the Isley Brothers but is best remembered by The Beatles cover released in 1963 and was inspired by the Isley Brothers version. It was the only million-selling Beatles single in the U.S. that was a cover song, and the only Beatles cover single to reach the top 10 on a national record chart. The song failed to hit #1 because the group’s own follow-up single “Can’t Buy Me Love” held the spot. A win / win I would say for The Beatles.

Merle Lee Ann Pratt – merleleeannskitchen.com – Email: merleleeann@gmail.com

YouTube: @merleleeanskitchen

Note: Parts of this blog was written with the help of Co-Pilot in Word (AI)

This column is sponsored by MacKenzie Funeral Chapel and Crematorium – We will be there when you need us.

130 9th St. E, Prince Albert, SK

Phone: (306) 763-8488 – https://mackenziechapel.ca

by Merle Lee Ann Pratt – Merle Lee Ann’s Kitchen, author of “A Baker’s Dozen

The Art of Dancing

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