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September 2007 
Hearts and Humor - Can you Dance
Posted on Sep 15th, 2007
by 
Mikey
Mikey
Hi, Gang
I don't have a new story for you tonight.
Once again, I reworked an old story.
I wish I could provide a new story, but work is sucking my
hours away. I do have an idea for a new story, I hope
to present it to you this week. The idea just keeps
bubbling in my head.
No! I don't have a fever.
(I'm being silly)
Many of you commented on the dancing in my
story called, "Kick up Your Heels."
This is another story about dancing.
My first wife and I took dance lessons once.
We loved it. We also learned a few things.
Read about it below.
If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to
your friends. I only ask that you leave the link
at the bottom for them to join us.
NOTE: IF YOU WISH TO STOP RECEIVING MY STORIES,
PLEASE USE THE UNSUBSCRIBE LINK BELOW. PLEASE DO NOT
MARK ME AS SPAM. MY STORIES ARE ONLY SENT TO THOSE
WHO SUBSCRIBE TO MY EZINE.
I Love your comments.
Send them to: msmith4@nj.rr.com
Sadly, many of you are not receiving my stories.
Spammers are causing your ISP's to block ezines.
So many of my faithful readers are emailing me, asking
why they are not receiving my stories.
It hurts me.
If anyone is interested in greeting cards or crafts,
Ginny belongs to a group of artists. They've teamed
together to market their products. Check them out at:
http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com
Ginny's cards and other crafts are at:
http://www.ginginsgoodies.etsy.com
Be sure to check out my collection of inspirational
sites at the end. There's something for everyone.
Now for today's story.
Can You Dance
I held my wife Georgia close. We swayed to the music and turned in
slow circles. Next to us, a couple twirled and spun in elegant
circles. Their feet and bodies moved in harmony with the music.
They were beautiful as they floated over the dance floor.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful to dance like that?" Georgia asked.
My daughter, Vanessa, was in her junior year of high school.
She and her boyfriend planned to attend the prom. Georgia decided
to give them dance lessons for Christmas.
Georgia found a dance studio and called them. "Are you sure
you and your husband don't want to take lessons with them?" the
gentleman asked. "There's a discount for a second couple."
"Well…" my wife hesitated. "Why not?"
We stood with ten other couples in the center of the floor
at Jimmy's Dance Studio. I listened to the conversations. "I've
always wanted to do this." one woman said.
"I hope I don't step on someone's feet." a man of about fifty
said to his graying wife.
A dapper gentleman of about sixty stepped into the room and
faced us. He was five foot two inch - if that. "I'm Jimmy. You're
here to learn to dance and you will. I promise you, by the time
you finish your first six weeks, you'll make your friends jealous."
he said. His toupee, obviously fitted many years ago, was slightly
off center and barely covered his spreading baldness.
We started with the basic box step, a simple waltz for those
who know how to dance. We practiced the steps facing each other
but standing several feet apart. The men stepped forward with
their left foot; the women stepped back with their right. Our steps
were mirror images of each other. "One, two, three." Jimmy shouted.
It seemed easy.
"OK!" Jimmy said. "Watch how it's done." He took one of his
assistants in his arms. An Anne Murray song began to play. "Save
The Last Dance For Me" she sang, as Jimmy and his partner drifted
elegantly around the room.
"We're going to start the music again. Take your partner in
your arms. Now let's give it a try." Jimmy smiled at us. "It's
easy. You'll see."
Anne Murray sang the song that would haunt us for months. I
held Georgia in my arms. My right hand held her waist, the left
held her hand. The music began. I moved my left foot forward and
stepped on Georgia's toe. We stood firm, waited for the beat, and
tried again. Half way through the box, we faltered again.
"Hold her firm!" one of the assistants came to our side. She
grabbed my arm. "Here! Put your arm around her waist! Hold her
hand with the other! Don't move it. Keep it firm! You have to
guide her!"
The music began. We got through the full box without stumbling
or stepping on each other. Compared to the instructors, we looked
like two kids dancing for the first time.
Several weeks later, something happened. The music played.
Georgia and I flowed over the dance floor. Our awkwardness was
gone. We were partners. We danced as one.
It took a lot of practice and time, but we did it. We became
a team. We anticipated each other's moves and were able to
interpret the slightest signal from the other. What seemed so
hard before became natural.
We looked at our relationship. We'd stumbled cooking together,
what our children should be allowed to do, when to mow the lawn,
how much to spend on a car, where our vacations should be spent,
and all things couples struggle with.
We took what we learned and applied it to out lives.
We danced.
Michael T. Smith
If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends.
My only request is that you include the link for your friends to
join our family.
To join our family, go to:
http://subs.zinester.com/86758/
As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites.
I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites.
A good friend of mine has a new book out. You should check
this out. Carol's been through rough times. She tells it all
in her latest book.
Carol Roach
M.Ed, B.A.
Publisher: Storytime Tapestry
Author: Angels Watching Over Me:http://www.lulu.com/content/644485
Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey: www.publishamerica.com
To join Carol's story site, go to Storytime Tapestry at:
http://archives.zinester.com/98907/
From my wonderful writing friend, Jan. She writes wonderful
stories about her life and losing her sight.
Janet Perez Eckles
Faith and Love with a Latin Flair
www.janetperezeckles.com
This is a great one
Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés
"The Window to My Soul, My Walk with Jesus"
http://www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes
http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/
Here's a good one by Linda Della Donna
Freelance Writer
www.littleredmailbox.com
www.griefcase.blogspot.com
www.storybone.blogspot.com
"...and sometime when I wasn't looking, I got a new life."
By my good friend Keith in Australia:
http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/
My friend Phil runs http://www.peoplestuff.com.au/
Phil's awesome and brutally honest
Zev, yes another friend, runs http://empoweringmessages.com/stories/
Heart Catchers is a wonderful site. www.DianeDeanWhite.com
www.Heartwarmers.com and www.petwarmers.com are two
wonderful story sites.
http://hodu.com/
http://www.mydailyinsights.com/
www.ripplemaker.com
http://www.sermonillustrator.org
http://www.SkyWriting.Net
Here's a newly discovered one I like:
http://www.archive.zinester.com/9516
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarmFuzzyStories/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WithInSight/
If you, or anyone you know needs prayers for health concerns,
struggles,etc visit www.janetperezeckles.com
Janet's prayer group will respond.
That's all I can think of right now. If I come up with
more, I'll add them.
Enjoy!!!
I love your comments, Send them to msmith4@nj.rr.com.
I'll include some in every post.
Now for a few comments on my last story:
Sometimes, just a simple email is all it takes to make me
know I touched someone. Diana does it here.
Great story, thanks for sharing!
Diana
*******************
August 25, 2007
Dear Mike,
I loved your story today. You sound like my husband. He loves to dance,
and so do I. In fact, our very first date was going to a Glen Miller
Orchestra in Des Moines, IA. I had to learn to dance in order to go on the
date. We had a wonderful time and I loved every minute of it. We don’t get
many chances to dance, but do so whenever possible. On our honeymoon (two
cruises to the Western Caribbean), we got to dance a lot and entered a few
dance contests. One of them was a Twist dance. Bob and I took first place.
I still think they took pity on a blind woman doing the Twist. My husband
is not afraid to make a fool of himself and has taught me to do so, too. I
enjoy getting out of my “box” once in a while!
I am eagerly awaiting your new story in a couple of days. I will pray that
God gives you the words that He wants your readers to hear from Him. I pray
that God will grant you His favor in writing this story, that it will just
flow from your heart and spirit and will bless us all, including you.
I loved the link to the “Amazing Grace” song. It made me cry. God is SO
GOOD!
Praying that God will strengthen you during your busy schedule. Praying for
you and yours!
God Bless!
Sandy
********************
Hey, Michael, me-boy! How are ya? I loved Kick Up Your Heels. What fun you are!
I also wanted to say...
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You're a growing boy! So glad to see your numbers going up!
Just as something to ponder...is it possible or time for another job? You sound
worn out! And not much time left over to spend with your precious bride! I'm still
praying for a computer. Pretty soon you'd better tell I don't need to any more!!!
With affection, Lynn
Oh, my gosh...I almost forgot...thank you, thank you, thank you, for the Wintley
Phipps site. I'm passing it along to everyone! What an awesome performance. He
came to our church one time. He is really blessed with talent!
Have a great and blessed weekend.
Lynn
I don't have a new story for you tonight.
Once again, I reworked an old story.
I wish I could provide a new story, but work is sucking my
hours away. I do have an idea for a new story, I hope
to present it to you this week. The idea just keeps
bubbling in my head.
No! I don't have a fever.
(I'm being silly)
Many of you commented on the dancing in my
story called, "Kick up Your Heels."
This is another story about dancing.
My first wife and I took dance lessons once.
We loved it. We also learned a few things.
Read about it below.
If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to
your friends. I only ask that you leave the link
at the bottom for them to join us.
NOTE: IF YOU WISH TO STOP RECEIVING MY STORIES,
PLEASE USE THE UNSUBSCRIBE LINK BELOW. PLEASE DO NOT
MARK ME AS SPAM. MY STORIES ARE ONLY SENT TO THOSE
WHO SUBSCRIBE TO MY EZINE.
I Love your comments.
Send them to: msmith4@nj.rr.com
Sadly, many of you are not receiving my stories.
Spammers are causing your ISP's to block ezines.
So many of my faithful readers are emailing me, asking
why they are not receiving my stories.
It hurts me.
If anyone is interested in greeting cards or crafts,
Ginny belongs to a group of artists. They've teamed
together to market their products. Check them out at:
http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com
Ginny's cards and other crafts are at:
http://www.ginginsgoodies.etsy.com
Be sure to check out my collection of inspirational
sites at the end. There's something for everyone.
Now for today's story.
Can You Dance
I held my wife Georgia close. We swayed to the music and turned in
slow circles. Next to us, a couple twirled and spun in elegant
circles. Their feet and bodies moved in harmony with the music.
They were beautiful as they floated over the dance floor.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful to dance like that?" Georgia asked.
My daughter, Vanessa, was in her junior year of high school.
She and her boyfriend planned to attend the prom. Georgia decided
to give them dance lessons for Christmas.
Georgia found a dance studio and called them. "Are you sure
you and your husband don't want to take lessons with them?" the
gentleman asked. "There's a discount for a second couple."
"Well…" my wife hesitated. "Why not?"
We stood with ten other couples in the center of the floor
at Jimmy's Dance Studio. I listened to the conversations. "I've
always wanted to do this." one woman said.
"I hope I don't step on someone's feet." a man of about fifty
said to his graying wife.
A dapper gentleman of about sixty stepped into the room and
faced us. He was five foot two inch - if that. "I'm Jimmy. You're
here to learn to dance and you will. I promise you, by the time
you finish your first six weeks, you'll make your friends jealous."
he said. His toupee, obviously fitted many years ago, was slightly
off center and barely covered his spreading baldness.
We started with the basic box step, a simple waltz for those
who know how to dance. We practiced the steps facing each other
but standing several feet apart. The men stepped forward with
their left foot; the women stepped back with their right. Our steps
were mirror images of each other. "One, two, three." Jimmy shouted.
It seemed easy.
"OK!" Jimmy said. "Watch how it's done." He took one of his
assistants in his arms. An Anne Murray song began to play. "Save
The Last Dance For Me" she sang, as Jimmy and his partner drifted
elegantly around the room.
"We're going to start the music again. Take your partner in
your arms. Now let's give it a try." Jimmy smiled at us. "It's
easy. You'll see."
Anne Murray sang the song that would haunt us for months. I
held Georgia in my arms. My right hand held her waist, the left
held her hand. The music began. I moved my left foot forward and
stepped on Georgia's toe. We stood firm, waited for the beat, and
tried again. Half way through the box, we faltered again.
"Hold her firm!" one of the assistants came to our side. She
grabbed my arm. "Here! Put your arm around her waist! Hold her
hand with the other! Don't move it. Keep it firm! You have to
guide her!"
The music began. We got through the full box without stumbling
or stepping on each other. Compared to the instructors, we looked
like two kids dancing for the first time.
Several weeks later, something happened. The music played.
Georgia and I flowed over the dance floor. Our awkwardness was
gone. We were partners. We danced as one.
It took a lot of practice and time, but we did it. We became
a team. We anticipated each other's moves and were able to
interpret the slightest signal from the other. What seemed so
hard before became natural.
We looked at our relationship. We'd stumbled cooking together,
what our children should be allowed to do, when to mow the lawn,
how much to spend on a car, where our vacations should be spent,
and all things couples struggle with.
We took what we learned and applied it to out lives.
We danced.
Michael T. Smith
If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends.
My only request is that you include the link for your friends to
join our family.
To join our family, go to:
http://subs.zinester.com/86758/
As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites.
I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites.
A good friend of mine has a new book out. You should check
this out. Carol's been through rough times. She tells it all
in her latest book.
Carol Roach
M.Ed, B.A.
Publisher: Storytime Tapestry
Author: Angels Watching Over Me:http://www.lulu.com/content/644485
Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey: www.publishamerica.com
To join Carol's story site, go to Storytime Tapestry at:
http://archives.zinester.com/98907/
From my wonderful writing friend, Jan. She writes wonderful
stories about her life and losing her sight.
Janet Perez Eckles
Faith and Love with a Latin Flair
www.janetperezeckles.com
This is a great one
Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés
"The Window to My Soul, My Walk with Jesus"
http://www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes
http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/
Here's a good one by Linda Della Donna
Freelance Writer
www.littleredmailbox.com
www.griefcase.blogspot.com
www.storybone.blogspot.com
"...and sometime when I wasn't looking, I got a new life."
By my good friend Keith in Australia:
http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/
My friend Phil runs http://www.peoplestuff.com.au/
Phil's awesome and brutally honest
Zev, yes another friend, runs http://empoweringmessages.com/stories/
Heart Catchers is a wonderful site. www.DianeDeanWhite.com
www.Heartwarmers.com and www.petwarmers.com are two
wonderful story sites.
http://hodu.com/
http://www.mydailyinsights.com/
www.ripplemaker.com
http://www.sermonillustrator.org
http://www.SkyWriting.Net
Here's a newly discovered one I like:
http://www.archive.zinester.com/9516
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarmFuzzyStories/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WithInSight/
If you, or anyone you know needs prayers for health concerns,
struggles,etc visit www.janetperezeckles.com
Janet's prayer group will respond.
That's all I can think of right now. If I come up with
more, I'll add them.
Enjoy!!!
I love your comments, Send them to msmith4@nj.rr.com.
I'll include some in every post.
Now for a few comments on my last story:
Sometimes, just a simple email is all it takes to make me
know I touched someone. Diana does it here.
Great story, thanks for sharing!
Diana
*******************
August 25, 2007
Dear Mike,
I loved your story today. You sound like my husband. He loves to dance,
and so do I. In fact, our very first date was going to a Glen Miller
Orchestra in Des Moines, IA. I had to learn to dance in order to go on the
date. We had a wonderful time and I loved every minute of it. We don’t get
many chances to dance, but do so whenever possible. On our honeymoon (two
cruises to the Western Caribbean), we got to dance a lot and entered a few
dance contests. One of them was a Twist dance. Bob and I took first place.
I still think they took pity on a blind woman doing the Twist. My husband
is not afraid to make a fool of himself and has taught me to do so, too. I
enjoy getting out of my “box” once in a while!
I am eagerly awaiting your new story in a couple of days. I will pray that
God gives you the words that He wants your readers to hear from Him. I pray
that God will grant you His favor in writing this story, that it will just
flow from your heart and spirit and will bless us all, including you.
I loved the link to the “Amazing Grace” song. It made me cry. God is SO
GOOD!
Praying that God will strengthen you during your busy schedule. Praying for
you and yours!
God Bless!
Sandy
********************
Hey, Michael, me-boy! How are ya? I loved Kick Up Your Heels. What fun you are!
I also wanted to say...
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You're a growing boy! So glad to see your numbers going up!
Just as something to ponder...is it possible or time for another job? You sound
worn out! And not much time left over to spend with your precious bride! I'm still
praying for a computer. Pretty soon you'd better tell I don't need to any more!!!
With affection, Lynn
Oh, my gosh...I almost forgot...thank you, thank you, thank you, for the Wintley
Phipps site. I'm passing it along to everyone! What an awesome performance. He
came to our church one time. He is really blessed with talent!
Have a great and blessed weekend.
Lynn
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