DANCIN'

For as far back as I can remember my Mom and Dad loved to go to Kilgore and "honky tonk".

"Honky tonk" meant drink a little beer (OK, a bunch in Dad's case) and dance (they pronounced it in a way I'm not sure I can spell but it rhymed with "aints".)

Dad, especially, was universally known in his small circle as an accomplished dancer. All would say that the women would line up for a chance to dance with Dad.

In later years, Dad began to show the signs of age and after two heart attacks he told me a "new" dancing strategy. He would not ask or agree to a dance until the song was half over so he could "perform" to his satisfaction without having to stop and sit down.

I did not in any form or fashion inherit my Dad's dancing ability or his braggadocio in terms of just doing his thing without worrying what anyone cared. I was shy, introverted, and not near brave enough to "dance", of all things, in front of people. Yeah, thats right sports fans, I did not EVER dance in high school, at proms, at "sock hops" (some of you know what that is), at bar mitzvah's or whatever. (Just no guts).

I have another "thing". At some point I refuse to be intimidated by any person or any thing on earth. It took a while for that trait to kick in for dancing, but when I turned 40 years old I decided that it was time I learned to dance. Once I was proficient to my satisfaction, whether or not I danced was a matter of personal preference and had no relation to an intimidation factor. Another words, if I never danced again, it would be because I didn't want to rather than because I was intimidated by the act.

So, ole frankie went to the Austin Breckenridge Hospital Wellness Program and signed up for beginning country/western dance lessons. Being somewhat of an overachiever, I then proceeded to the intermediate class. (Not being a masochist, I let it go at that).

Who would have thought? For the last 18 years I have enjoyed dancing more than I ever could have imagined and what great exercise! I ain't the best hoofer on the floor, but I quickly learned that nobody notices and no one cares (except maybe the gal I'm holdin'?).

Can't believe I wasted all those years by not doing something I clearly enjoy and some would say I am fairly good at???? Makes me wonder how many other things there are in life that I have not tried that I would enjoy as much?