Kitchen Dancing

This week I am pleased to have a blog guest, My Michelle. Enjoy!

I come from a long line of “kitchen dancers” and lovers of music.  We put on the music, and we can’t help ourselves, the dancing soon follows.  I remember watching my mom and dad sneaking in a dance or two, what must have been a welcome release when dealing with a large and boisterous family.  My sisters and I took turns learning to dance with our dad, first standing on his feet as he danced us around, progressing to the old two step and then jiving.  We sisters would also dance together, taking turns on who would lead and who would follow, throwing in a dip or two. As we grew up and boyfriends came and went, husbands joined our family and my dad passed away, the opportunities for kitchen dancing naturally waned and changed.  But then - I met this wonderful man, Richard, from a small family, who also came from a family of lovers of music and “kitchen dancers”. He fit right in, took my hand and twirled me around the kitchen and we have been dancing ever since! My mother would often comment on how she would think of Richard and I dancing in the kitchen and how it would make her smile to think of us so happy and dancing!

We’ve been having a rough go at times during Richard’s cancer journey, but through it all, we still put on the music, and rock out in the kitchen to our favourite songs.  Sometimes we just hold on to each other and sway to an emotional tune or two. While our sons are less than enthusiastic to join in and often give us the “eye roll”, they have been known to hover around and act as DJ, while Sophie is right in there, adding in her moves. We love these simple moments and I know we are raising the next generation of kitchen dancing enthusiasts!

Studies have shown that music can relax your mind, energize your body and reduce stress.  Upbeat music can make you feel more optimistic and positive about life. I know that Richard finds listening to music during his chemo treatment marathons, helps him a great deal - helps to take his mind off what is happening in the moment, to block out the beeps, buzzes and conversations at the infusion clinic. But I know that he is also listening to our favourite songs and doing his own “kitchen dancing” from the infusion chair and planning his moves for when we get back home!

You are always dancing in my heart,

Love Michelle