Let's Keep on Dancing

“What’s wrong?” I asked my husband, commonly referred to here as Darth.

He sighed “I’m in my What’s it all about, Alfie mood.”  This, of course, was in reference to the song my mother always used to begin singing whenever my brother, sisters or I would question the meaning of life.  Mom has another favorite she used to pull out, too.  Is that all there is?  …then let’s keep on dancing.
I understood my husband’s mood: His kids are growing up—and away from him.  He’s no longer their hero, but more of an annoyance. 



“I hope you’re not going to write about this,” Darth said.  “People will think I’m grumpy and melancholy.”

I laughed.  “People think about this all the time."  I reminded him of the bumper sticker I’d seen: What if the hokey pokey is what it’s all about?

* * *
I picked up a reserve from the library the other day, a book on tiny house design.  I imagined Darth and me building our own small house; off the grid, with reclaimed materials.

I mentioned the book at dinner; told Darth it would be fun to try. 
V looked at me.  “Don’t you…you know…have to be in construction to try something like that?”

Even my teenagers, my question-all-the-rules; don’t-ever-tell-me-no teenage daughters are telling me I can’t.  They don’t believe that their parents can build a simple little cabin.
Perhaps they’re right. 

Perhaps they’re not.
I don’t think the Hokey Pokey is what it’s all about.  And while I can’t really answer what’s it all about, I can say this: by learning and growing and changing and dreaming, I’m going to keep right on dancing.

And maybe someday, Darth and I will have our little cabin in the woods. 

Off the grid. 

Built by us.

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Writing in the Margins, Bursting at the Seams: Let's Keep on Dancing

Friday, March 2, 2012

Let's Keep on Dancing

“What’s wrong?” I asked my husband, commonly referred to here as Darth.

He sighed “I’m in my What’s it all about, Alfie mood.”  This, of course, was in reference to the song my mother always used to begin singing whenever my brother, sisters or I would question the meaning of life.  Mom has another favorite she used to pull out, too.  Is that all there is?  …then let’s keep on dancing.
I understood my husband’s mood: His kids are growing up—and away from him.  He’s no longer their hero, but more of an annoyance. 



“I hope you’re not going to write about this,” Darth said.  “People will think I’m grumpy and melancholy.”

I laughed.  “People think about this all the time."  I reminded him of the bumper sticker I’d seen: What if the hokey pokey is what it’s all about?

* * *
I picked up a reserve from the library the other day, a book on tiny house design.  I imagined Darth and me building our own small house; off the grid, with reclaimed materials.

I mentioned the book at dinner; told Darth it would be fun to try. 
V looked at me.  “Don’t you…you know…have to be in construction to try something like that?”

Even my teenagers, my question-all-the-rules; don’t-ever-tell-me-no teenage daughters are telling me I can’t.  They don’t believe that their parents can build a simple little cabin.
Perhaps they’re right. 

Perhaps they’re not.
I don’t think the Hokey Pokey is what it’s all about.  And while I can’t really answer what’s it all about, I can say this: by learning and growing and changing and dreaming, I’m going to keep right on dancing.

And maybe someday, Darth and I will have our little cabin in the woods. 

Off the grid. 

Built by us.

Labels: ,

4 Comments:

At March 2, 2012 at 7:58 PM , Anonymous Caroline Gerardo said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At March 3, 2012 at 1:14 AM , Anonymous Jodi Aman said...

I think it would be so satisfying. My family hates when I write about them, too.

 
At March 3, 2012 at 5:30 AM , Anonymous jaum said...

Boy can this hit the mark with about a zillion people. Love Darth's introspection, the cynical attitude of Philibuster. (Typical of the age) and the reality (or balance) you manage to build into the piece.

 
At March 3, 2012 at 12:40 PM , Anonymous kgwaite said...

Ha - Yeah, those songs used to annoy me. Now I find I'm singing along with her.

 

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