The Electric Slide

Each day I go to see my mother and try to get her to eat something. She can be stubborn and will only take food and water from either myself and one other person.  This daily trip to see my mother isn't always convenient, not to mention the fact that seeing her in this condition isn't easy, so I just try to keep in mind that what my mother is experiencing isn't easy for her either.  I don't like dwelling on the negative so I am committed to looking for those small positive moments and embracing them.  As it turns out, I didn't need to look very hard because those small moments are all around me. 

In the  assisted living residence where my mother is I have become well acquainted with some of the residents and most of the staff.  Each visit is an opportunity to chat with someone I have become friends with and I almost always see something that makes me smile.  As I was leaving this evening I stepped into the lobby and saw one of the older residents teaching people how to dance.  When they were finished with the dance I stepped forward, clapping my hands saying "Well done!" The receptionist pointed to Bobbi,  the elderly woman, and told me that she used to be a dance teacher. 

Bobbi looked right at me and asks "Do you jitterbug?"  I just told her that a good friend taught me the steps when I was young but I haven't done the jitterbug in years. She immediately pushed her walker aside as she took my hands and said "Let's see what you can do!"  Within minutes we were dancing around the lobby.  As I helped her back to her walker someone asked her if she can do the electric slide. She said no so the receptionist put on some music and a couple of the nurses proceeded to teach Bobbi and I the electric slide. Before long, a few other people had joined in and we spent about twenty minutes learning a variety of line dances.  It was the best evening I have had in a long time and proves that there is no age limit on fun.  However, if someone would have ever told me that I would find myself in the lobby of an assisted living laughing and line dancing with caregivers and a group of 80 year olds,  I would have called them crazy.  Although, I do have to admit that these moments of craziness are exactly what is keeping me sane.