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Never too old to dance with Mom
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Location: Blogs Jim's Blog |
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| Posted by: Jim Hansen |
7/22/2006 |
After visiting with seniors at Pocatello's Gate City Senior Center on Thursday, we were treated to some music and dancing. Since I was fortunate to be there with two very special seniors -- my parents, Orval and June Hansen -- I did not pass up the opportunity to ask Mom to dance.
I had another wonderful opportunity to meet with a community of senior citizens for lunch in Pocatello on Thursday at the Gate City Senior Center. This time, two very special seniors joined me: my parents, June and Orval Hansen, who drove down from Stanley that morning. They live in Stanley in the summer and Virginia in the winter so they can be sure to spend time with as many of their 12 grandchildren as possible.
Dad noted that he turns 80 on Aug. 3 and felt right at home, although there were several folks at the lunch who were at least 10 years older. In fact, we all joined in singing “Happy Birthday” to Wanda Hollingsworth, who celebrated her 96th birthday that day. Many people at the lunch remembered Dad’s service to Idaho in the U.S. Congress (1968-74) and the Idaho State Legislature (1956-68).
This is the second time I visited the senior center in Pocatello. I appreciated that everyone felt comfortable coming up to me and sharing their thoughts on a number of different issues. They shared their perspective on the mess in Iraq, the huge deficit Congress has piled up, the threats that Congress has made to Social Security, the frustrations people are feeling about the complex Medicare prescription drug system, and many other issues.
It was a great opportunity to share in the wealth of knowledge and perspective that they have. Some could even remember when there was no Social Security system (it is only 76 years old) and when their grandparents faced the threat of poverty in their later years. The beauty of Social Security and Medicare is that everyone is included.
When lunch was over, chairs and tables were pulled back and a trio of musicians began to play some marvelous old tunes. A dozen or more couples walked out onto the floor and in no time were dancing. I was very impressed. Clearly, these folks have been doing the two-step, the waltz and other dances for a half-century or more and when the music starts, the feet start moving.
Dancing is not one of Dad’s many talents. Mom, on the other hand, rather likes to cut a rug on occasion. I picked up on her hint and the two of us were on the dance floor by the second number. We were not too bad, if I must say so myself.
Just think how much better the world would be if more guys realized that you’re never too old to dance with your mother.
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