Community Methodist Church has always been a lighthouse of comfort for me since I was a little kid growing up in Blackbottom. I spent many, many days there, going to Bible School and Sunday School. Don and I raised our family and took them to church at Community on Sundays where we shared our lives, our ups and downs and our hopes and dreams with the other couples who also found a church home there. We’ve had many pastors and their families and we’ve laughed and cried together through the years. We have become a family. For the past few years the men have planned, cooked and served a Valentine’s Day dinner for the ladies. We’ve always had good food and a great time. Last year the men performed a little dance for us and we laughed at their clumsiness and lack of rhythm. So this year Pastor John Carwell had an idea. He wanted to do something different that would bring couples together. A few weeks ago he messaged all the men of the church and he told them to come to the church at 6:30 and bring a basketball. At the appointed time, the confused men of the church showed up and found quite the surprise. Local attorney, and ballroom dance master, Mickey McGuire was there and he was going to teach the men how to foxtrot! So on that first night back in January the men learned to dance with basketballs and the ladies were completely in the dark about the plan. The following week the women were asked to come and our dance lessons began. Since then more couples have joined the fun and now there are about 15 couples coming each Thursday night to learn the steps and have a whole lot of fun. Local legend, Print Ball, has been coming and wow, can he dance!
Mickey explained to me that the foxtrot is an American dance and is typically danced to the beat of the big bands of the 40’s and 50’s. Mickey’s dance knowledge is extensive and evident as he explained so much to me about competitive dance. Mickey competed for about 8 years all over the United States and was a national champion in 2007 and 2008, competing in Baltimore, Maryland. He also competed twice in Europe, earning 3rd place in the world in Belgium and a World Champion title in Sweden. Let’s just say that Mickey is more than qualified to lead our little left footed group in our attempts to learn the foxtrot.
I’ve read so many stories about the generation who grew up during the big band era, and I know that dancing was mastered at an early age. After all, going to the frequent dances at the high school or country club was a very popular thing to do. Popular styles were the foxtrot, the Lindy, jive and west coast swing. Growing up in the 70’s we did the bump and the funky chicken, but for Don and I, dancing has never been a part of our lives. Actually, it’s always been a big fear of mine so I approached these lessons with a great deal of doubt and fear. But my fears were unfounded and I’ve learned so much. I’ve learned that learning to dance is not a destination, it’s a journey. I’ll never be a national champion dancer, but I’ve danced with my husband and I’ve watched the faces of my dear lifetime friends as they dance with their spouses. I’ve seen love glow in their eyes as they dance and laugh and share their evening in a way that is so much more intimate than watching the tv or sharing a meal. In a couple of weeks we will have our traditional Valentine’s dinner. We’ll get all dressed up and the men will cook for the ladies. The ladies will be greeted at the door and be escorted to our seats and we will get a beautiful rose. The meal will be fabulous, as it always is. We will laugh and share and love and give. And then we will dance the foxtrot. It won’t be perfect but it will be perfect for us.
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