Dancing and Ageism

Every two weeks, on a Saturday night, we go out with another couple for dinner, and then we usually go for a special coffee. We have fun and enjoy their company and we laugh and we always find things to talk about. Every time we go, my wife wonders what we will talk about but we always find something to talk about, sometimes we talk of family, sometimes we talk of music, sometimes the talk drifts to grandchildren. 

We have a nice routine, so we were surprised when the other couple suggested that we not go for special coffee, but go to the local Legion. We thought it would be a great idea, so we went. The Legion has a different band play every Saturday. The band was very good and it played the kind of music that made everyone want to get up and dance.

Now my wife and I have taken dance lessons and when we were younger we were pretty good dancers, or so I thought. As we sat having our special coffee, the dance floor filled and we were amazed at the skill level of the dancers. I said to my wife, they all look like they are professionals, or at least have just come from a dance class. Needless to say, I was intimidated and decided that I would watch and my wife and the other couple had the same idea.

We were very impressed by the level of the dancers. Now they were not young, I am in my early 70's and all of the dancers looked older than me. The dance floor rocked and the dancers were having a great time when the bandleader said it was time for a line dance number. Within one minute ever dancer was in line and the line performed like a well-rehearsed chorus line. As the dance continued, this lady moved to the front of the line and it was very evident within a few minutes that all of the other dancers were taking their cues from her. She had energy and spirit and was a delight to watch. When the song was over, she went and sat down, and the people at the next table said to us, she is doing pretty good for a 96-year-old. 

We all looked at each other and nodded, and I realized that I was shocked at how old she was and how well she did on the dance floor. As I thought about my reaction, I realized that I was being ageist. I had judged this woman on her age and because she was older than I thought I wondered how she did it. 

I should not have let my ideas about how a 90+ person should act, influence my ideas about how well she danced. She was doing what I hope I will be doing at 90+ having fun and not caring what others think.