When I first met this week’s guest blogger, I was a 19-year-old girl from a Southern California beach town; while she was, as I perceived it, a sophisticated woman living in Manhattan. She could have easily been intimidating, especially because I was dating her first-born son. But, she was anything but.
From day one, Judy has welcomed me with open arms. Since then, she has always listened to me, and has given me sound, measured advice only when I ask for it. She has set the most amazing example of how to be an incredible mother-in-law and grandmother; and she has shown by example how to grow older with grace and incredible stamina. Judy once told me “the 50s are great!” And she was so right – they really are such a wonderful time in my life. Now she says, “oh no, the 80s are the best!”
Judy worked full time until a couple of years ago, and now that she’s “retired,” she still does more than most. She works in the soup kitchen and at Planned Parenthood. She goes to the theatre and movies. But most importantly, she loves to dance.
She used to travel quite a bit, but now she doesn’t want to go anywhere because she will miss dance! She is fit and her posture is amazing! Most importantly she has found a passion that drives her in her life … something that brings her such joy.
Judy makes me look forward to my 80s and believe the best is yet to come!!!
TOMORROW IS DANCING
by Judy Link
There are moments when I just think about dancing, and I smile. Moments when my body aches, and I’m weary … and I think with an even bigger smile, tomorrow is dancing!!!
Tonight, I went – with my knee wrapped in an Ace bandage and a stomach ache that I’d had all day. West Coast Swing music started, my turn with an expert, and it was magic! Nothing ached!
Sixteen years ago, I read a headline in the arts section of my newspaper that read, “No Wallflowers in Dance Heaven,” and life improved fantastically after that! The article described a group of social dancers where the men are all professional and the women just love to dance. I quickly called the number they referred to, signed on, and joined the group.
First once a week, then two, and now three! I’ve made many new friends, learned new dances and improved those I already knew. And, I’m sure I’m healthier, mentally and physically! (After the first few months I’d lost 20 pounds and it hasn’t come back.)
One of the women from my dance groups calls dance night her “mental health evening,” and studies show partner dancing is better even than cross word puzzles to keep your brain active. Moving in sync with another person, the music directing, all connecting, is pure joy!
I hope I never have to stop!
What an inspiration!
OK I haven’tbeen ablessed to post here in over a year because my phone was configured oddly to where I couldn’t post, however new phone, new possibilities! Let’s chat eh!? Ms. Judy Link what an honor it is to have you here! I remember seeing THEORY SWEETEST picture posted of you and grandson Danny from his wedding…the way MB talks about you with such love, respect, and class…Dancing…I was never a dancer, but in high school I was lucky enough to make it in every musical which required a lot of dancing…I learned how to time step which later helped me for a huge audition I had after graduating high school…While it hasn’t always been my strong suit what I can say is the fun and joy you have especially when you’re dancing with other people. In 2013 I suffered burns to the bottom of both of my feet. For 40 days they were grafted and then in the last week of healing from the grafts my physical therapy team had me up too early and my left graft was compromised. Inevitably I was going to have to be grafted again but was sent home to possibly heal from the grafts. I thought about all those times I danced in shows or as a small child in my neighborhood break dancing group (yes I said that lol), and I wondered if I’d ever feel confident enough to dance again or get my feet back to where they were strong enough to walk flat footed down a hallway. In 2014 I was hospitalized again for the regret to my left foot and for a small graft on my right. Friend tend but determined I spent 66 days in the hospital healing from the second regrafts. My feet did heal and we’re healed completely for over a year until my burn surgeon did a debrisement on my right foot which caused an infection in my right foot. I am currently fighting the infection in my right foot as I’m in the hospital as we speak! It’s been a journey sweet Ms. Judy, but then again we MUST keep moving, dancing, walking, and finding ways to keep our lives “fantastically” filled with love, laughter, and energy! Tonight I walked 30th with a walker to the dining room of the hospital…it wasn’t fancy, but it sure showed promise of what’s to come…maybe I will try a moonwalk after my up in graft heals…Third grafts a charm and life is too darn short to give up or in! Thank you Ms. Judy for reminding me that…P.S. Thank you for being so kind to that 19 year old young woman…She very dear to us all as well…
Mary Beth, I loved this story it made me wish I could dance again. It’s been so long but I still have the urge to get up and dance, problem is my legs will no longer do this for me. But to you I send lots of appreciation for sharing. Go out and dance for me, keep going it’s fun and such a good way to get healthy.
Love this!!! My husband and I started taking dance lessons 6 years ago and didn’t realize how much we would enjoy it. Or how important a part of our lives it would be! We’ve learned everything from West Coast Swing to Salsa and many many more! Even participated in several Flash Mobs! Oh what fun! We are high school sweethearts and just celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary. Like you and your husband we married young. We just wish we had started dancing sooner!
Just Dance!!! 😃💛
When I was a kid, my mother sent me to Ballroom dancing class with the rest of the Drs. and Lawyers kids. Once a week, a dance instructor from NYC would fly into my hometown on Lake Erie to teach us how to cha-cha ….how to properly address your partner and how to properly introduce our partner to him….At the time I HATED it..when I look back on it now I realize how much that class helped change my perspective about adults and organizational fun. To this day,however, I can’t get my husband to dance …but I can still shake it like I was 14 again.
Mary Beth, thanks for yet another great blog!
Judy is truly inspirational, and I admire her for getting out and staying upbeat! Just reading about how much dance has made an impact on her life made me smile!
Two of my grandparents are in their 80s, and they never go anywhere or do anything besides sit at home and watch tv. I am really hoping that when I am their age, my life is more like Judy’s. I want my 50’s and 80’s to be some of The best times in my life!
When I was little I had a speech delay and although it didn’t keep me from chatting it up, I would often get teased. My mom put me in dance classes where I was able to chasse my way through those hard times. I danced during my college years for the Disneyland parades and continue to dance whenever and wherever I can. I truly get Judi’s passion and appreciate her wisdom
What an amazing woman!! And what a blessing you got to be her daughter-in-law. ❤️
Wow, just wow! And I am also blessed to have an amazing mother in law as well! Lucky us! 😉
My sister-in-law, a doctor, goes salsa dancing twice a week with her husband. Not necessarily an easy group to find her in Australia. They even entered a competition last month that required a lot of rehearsal time. But she loves it for the mental and physical stimulation that it provides. It is wonderful when anyone can find a passion in life that gives them joy-and when it is also healthy it is an added bonus. Your m-I-l sounds like she has definitely found that joy Mary Beth and I think how lucky she is to follow her dreams. A lesson for us all.
Judy makes me want to go out and find a dance studio! Inspiring, beautiful and simply, elegant. We should all take a page from her book.
What a great blog from your mother-in-law!….such an inspiring woman!….thanks for sharing her story!
Inspiring as always! Thanks for the heads up about my 60’s and 80’s 😀
I hope to be dancing when I’m 80-that’s my goal!