Last night was exceptional. Not only did I go to a social event but I went to a social event that didn’t start until 8pm in the evening! This is exceptional because not only do I rarely enjoy going to social events but I am usually in bed by 9 or 10pm at the latest.
One of our neighbours who lives in the hamlet here was playing in a band he is a part of. We have been hearing him practicing his trumpet for months! When he told Ben and I about the upcoming performance, we were both sure we’d like to go as it’s a jazz and swing band playing music from people like Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.
Ben’s grandpa loved Glenn Miller and I remember when Ben still had his old red Ford pickup truck and he would drive us somewhere with Glenn Miller playing. It felt like stepping back in time to a time I have never known but can somehow feel. A time which, in my head at least, was classier than the current day.
I wore my winter dress and Ben put on his best black jeans and a shirt. I wore my purple boots and Ben wore his purple shoes. We always seem to end up matching a little. In fact, one of Ben’s nicknames for me is ‘Miss Matchy Pants’ 🙂 As we were getting ready we commented on how we each basically had one good outfit to choose from for a night out like this, though obviously that’s not much of a choice. And I said I quite liked it because it was reminiscent of the days when we had fewer things but more respect and care for the things we had.
The concert was in a local village hall and it was already busy when we arrived, with people gathering around tables with their own drinks they’d brought with them. There were young people there, middle-aged people there and older people there. The atmosphere was so lovely and it gave me that feeling that I sometimes get that actually, in the right context, I quite enjoy social things.
The band were incredible. It felt like we’d been transported to a totally different time. Towards the end, people were invited to get up and dance if they wanted. One couple came to the front and started dancing. Oh, it was so beautiful to watch them. Him in his blue shirt, her in her red top. They had so much class as they moved around the floor. Such incredible posture. Such elegance. It really gave me a wonderful and somewhat emotional feeling to watch them.
Then some of the younger people got up and began dancing, but in a totally different way. Just in a big group, throwing themselves around. At least, that’s what it looked like to my eyes. Afterwards, on the way home, Ben and I talked about how, on the one hand, those younger people were having a blast and it was wonderful to see that happening at a swing band event in a village hall. On the other hand, it felt like a representation of how, in the modern day, we have lost something of the class, respect and care of earlier times.
In many ways, it’s rare for me to have strong opinions on something as it’s natural for me to see things from many perspectives all at once. There’s space for all kinds of dancing in this world and what’s beautiful to one person isn’t necessarily beautiful to another. It’s also true that if I want to be free to express myself in the ways I’m called, I have to allow other people that same freedom. All I know is that I saw and felt something of the sacred in that first couple and I am always drawn to the things that connect me to that feeling.
What a lovely picture of you both! You look so happy together 😊
And in response to your thoughts, I do appreciate when it gets a perfect match of oldies and younger generations. In fact, each segments can learn from the other. For example, oldies have the calmness and exhibit the power of love and compassion whether younger ones exude enthusiasm and energy. Still it rarely works out as oldies can’t accept the carelessness and youngsters do not feel free to get closer to the other segments. So this is a circular world and we move on!
Thank you for sharing yours, Leah !
I love reading these thoughts, Indira – thank you so much for sharing them. Everyone’s thoughts here help me see things from even more perspectives. Like you, I think it is a really positive thing when there is any opportunity for different ages and generations to spend time together and doing this more often could bring lots of wonderful things. I love the image you paint of the love and compassion of the older people and the enthusiasm and energy of the young. Different life stages, different gifts to bring. Thank you!
I enjoyed experiencing your fun evening vicariously. Great picture too! I think everyone had a great time, young and old!
Ah, thank you Bonnie! You are right, everyone had a great time and that is a wonderful thing!
I DON’T KNOW IF CLASSY IS THE RIGHT WORD. MY PARENTS WERE FROM THAT GENERATION, IT WAS ROMANTIC, THEY HAD JUST SURVIVED A WORLD WAR AND WERE GLAD TO BE ALIVE.
GLAD YOU HAD FUN. MARGI.
Thank you Margi! Yes, I can only imagine what it must have felt like for that generation, to have been through and survived the war. Thank you.
I’m glad you had a great rare night out, nothing beats live music. An interesting observation you made which I certainly get.
On the plus side it’s probably the longest those young people went without looking at their phones.
But I think that sounds inappropriate and disrespectful dancing in that chaotic manner, totally unsuitable for music from that period.
Not unexpected though.
I’ve noticed this present generation have a very shallow appreciation of anything, not all of them fortunately, but still too many.
It’s a world where it’s too easy to do things that once took a fair degree of effort, everything’s so accessible, so instant.
As a result nothing seems to hold its value anymore.
You saw that even at a village hall dance, not that they did anything wrong per se, but it’s what it points to. And it’s global.
Technology is getting ever more advanced, personal standards are going in the other direction.
I don’t think there’s any stopping it either.
However we all want to hear about your next night out, bound to be a good source of material!
Warmth and peace.
Your comments often expand my thoughts and ideas down new avenues, Geoff. Reading your comment, I had a whole stream of new thoughts and questions. Where do I behave in a similar way in my own life to the way I perceived those people behaving? I wonder if any of them would love to know how to dance like that first couple, but haven’t so far had an opportunity to learn? I can feel how technology tugs me into shallowness at every opportunity. We are products of the time we grow up in, our upbringing, environment, circumstances etc. In any case, your thoughts here echo much of what Ben and I often find ourselves discussing, which is interesting, because Ben is one of those younger people, being so much younger than I am. Thanks as always for reading. Warmth and peace to you too.
P.S. You’re right, I always forget how brilliant live music is. Nothing like it.
Yes Leah, products of our time, that’s it exactly. I’ve no doubt my elders thought some of my behaviour was less than appropriate way back then, and it was. I still cringe at my younger self, but most self aware people do in later years.
That said this does feel different, technology is not bringing us together, quite the opposite.
Such a big subject,calls for a cup of tea at the very least. Take care and keep doing your stuff!
Oh yes, I feel the same, so many moments to cringe at 🙂
I agree that technology is advancing at an alarming rate. We barely have time to catch our breath before the next new ‘thing’ comes out. A big and complex subject indeed. Most definitely a cup of tea is in order! Thank you Geoff, always enjoy your input.
Oh wow, this sounds like a wonderful evening and something I would have enjoyed too. I love that style of music. I also don’t like social events. I love the photo of you both, you look so happy 😊
I can see exactly what you mean about the two different views on the young people. Quite often I wonder what my nan would make of them today and I do agree that we have definitely lost class compared to years ago. Things are very casual these days in all respects. I love watching old films where everyone had gloves and a hat to go out.
I’m so glad you had a good time. 😊
Loads of love,
Sarah
Thank you Sarah! 🙂 Casual feels like a good word to express how many things are today. I also love that image of people putting on hats and gloves to go out. Big hugs for your weekend xx