When you take a class it should change your life. Institutional school has dimmed this truth by becoming the structure of life for kids. Eclipsing the time, energy, and emphasis on what would otherwise be their actual lives. Life for kids today has to ooze in and around the massive bulky totality of 13 years of schooling before they are allowed to proceed with their own thoughts and life experience as a way of life. When you choose to give time and money to someone to teach you, change should happen. You should be moved, altered, and improved rather than co-opted. Consider the Ballroom Dance class of a year ago, for instance.

The kids were invited to go ballroom dancing at an elder care facility. There was some reluctance and a bit of fear going in. But the day turned out to be very very sweet and worthwhile. Of all the volunteer projects we've done, I thought this one was the most palpably helpful. It seemed to create tangible engagement and connection for everyone involved. Before we could begin there was a bit of necessary cleanup and set up. I watched this woman pitch in while humming "Keep On The Sunny Side" to herself. She was quietly awesome, plus purple.

 

The kids introduced themselves and demonstrated. Notice the fellow dressed in denim? He looks bit bored, don't you think? They all did...teens dancing, yadda yadda...

We didn't know he was just waiting for a chance to pop a can of dancing whoop ass. His name is Ross. He made the girls laugh, cracking jokes, as they danced. He was out for a spin, for sure. Almost all the residents wanted to dance.

 All the teens danced with almost all the residents. Lots of grace and social practice. Lots of fun.

 "I could use a little spin."

 This image pretty much sums the day .

Life changed and thank you, great teachers, for helping us grow.