And we were really dancing
February 14th, 2010 by DanMoving to the music on the dance floor is nothing new for Jennifer and me. At weddings and parties we always go and claim an unoccupied corner of the dance floor – out of everyone’s way – and “dance.”
This dancing involves Jennifer elevating her powerchair seat so we’re closer to the same height and we either embrace and sway to a slow song or join hands and boogie with our arms to a fast song.
But there was something different this time at WCMU’s annual Night of Louisiana.
This was our second year attending what the public broadcasting network flaunts as a way for people to cure the mid-winter blues. As for me, I always tell others they have to go because it’s just plain ridiculous fun!
Boogying the night away
So, Jennifer and I donned our Mardi Gras beads and headed out for a night of southern-style cuisine and live Cajun and zydeco music by The Pine Leaf Boys and Lil’ Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers.
After meeting up with our friends, we swiftly forgot about the frigid late January freeze. Trusting in the sweet fruitiness of overpriced and fully liquored Hurricane drinks to cool the burn from our spicy Cajun dinner, Jennifer and I watched as people swarmed the dance floor three notes into The Pine Leaf Boys’ opening song.
The people’s dancing to the fiddle- and accordion-laced Cajun music was contagious. Jennifer and I quickly claimed an unoccupied corner of the dance floor and throughout the night we danced – swaying and boogying while Jennifer sat in her powerchair.
But with one song, everything changed: Jennifer was standing – honest to God standing! – with me out on the dance floor.
Lord know what led us to give this a try (Jennifer thinks maybe it was a little liquid courage), but all I remember was her looking up at me as the slow song started and I asked, “Did you want to try standing a little for this one?”
Certainly, I always help Jennifer stand to make transfers at home, but never had we stood together like this in public, especially on dance floor with hundreds of people around us.
Jennifer didn’t hesitate to say, “Yes,” and as we always do to stand, she put her arms around my neck and I straddled her right leg, slightly squatted, wrapped my arms around her back and locked my hands together. And she counted, “1, 2, 3.”
A picture of us slow dancing, but not of our first real dance (Remember? We were the only ones there when it happened).
And there we were. Dancing our first slow dance. Jennifer and I standing together swaying to the slow song. And all we really could do was smile as we looked into each other’s eyes (although, I do remember telling her how awesome it was to see her standing because she knows how much I enjoy the fact that she’s two inches taller than me).
While her MS-weakened legs likely limited our dance to less than a minute, I truly had lost track of time. I was really dancing with my wife. I’ll bet with Jennifer standing with me we looked just like everyone else on the dance floor.
But I couldn’t tell you for sure. For that moment in time, we were the only ones out there.
Posted in Daily Life, Just for Fun, Multiple Sclerosis | 
February 14th, 2010 at 7:11 am
A beautiful story. It made me dig up one of the poems I had published on my blog. Here it is:
“Wheelchair Dance”
My husband and I
would love to dance for hours
before my MS.
Then he invited
me and my wheelchair to dance.
All stopped to observe.
Many wept, me too,
while witnessing love expressed
without conditions.
I wish many hours of dancing for you two.
Judy
February 14th, 2010 at 7:25 am
What a beautiful story! I think we all take for granted the beauty of a slow dance. Jake and I usually skip it. From now on I will take the opportunity when it comes
February 14th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Happy Valentine’s Day you two!
February 14th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Love this story! Happy Valentine’s day to the cutest couple I know!
February 14th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Awwwww! Love it! Hey, isn’t about time for us to have a prom again when we come out for the MS walk?
February 14th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Hi Dan,
Thanks for visiting my blog, nice to meet you and Jennifer.
Have a good Sunday.
Love,
Herrad
February 14th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Hi Dan,
That sounds like a good dance.Keep warm and hasppy.
Love,
Herrad
February 15th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Hi Dan and Jennifer,
Have a good week.
love
Herrad
February 16th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
You two stand all the time. Your relationship stands for something, your obvious love stands for something and you two are truly outstanding. Next chance I get I am going to stand and dance with my wife…..even if only for a few seconds. I know it will make us both very happy too.
Michael
February 18th, 2010 at 10:14 am
HiDan Hi Jennifer,,
Please come over to my blog log and pick up your red bow award
.
Love,
Herrad
February 21st, 2010 at 1:15 pm
What a great story!! Of course I know some zydeco fanatics that would tell you that even the dead have been know to rise up and dance when zydeco gets to stompin’!
Caregivingly Yours, Patrick
February 26th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Dan, I love this! What a great story!
It got me trying to remember the last time I danced with Scarecrow. I think it was when Les Femmes d’Enfer, a Cajun band, was playing at a bookstore near us. You can’t not dance to Cajun music! I think “dancing” consisted of Scarecrow propping me up and pushing me around, but hey, beats settin’ home!
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:33 am
Such a beautiful story Dan…thoroughly encouraging and inspiring. My daughter will become a Bat Mitzvah this summer and I have been worrying for months about dancing-or perhaps not being able to dance in celebration with our family and friends at the reception…I might have to be in my wheelchair that afternoon because of fatigue, but I’m gonna dance one way or another…even if t’s only for a timeless minute.
March 12th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Hi Jennifer and Dan,
Check out Brain Fingers xif Dragobn is not ok.
Love,
Herrad
http://www.brainfingers.com/
March 12th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
i Jennifer and Dan,
Please come by my blog and pick up your Beautiful Blogger Award.
Love,
Herrad
its a post from weds i put so many its takem ages to put a message on everyones blog.
June 16th, 2010 at 9:45 am
Hi Dan & Jennifer,
This story is so cool. You guys are awesome. Thanks for sharing.