We live in tense times. Political divisions, even hatred. Bombs aimed at kids. Wars and rumors of war. It leaves people feeling unsettled, angry, depressed, pessimistic about the future. Where’s all this headed? I was feeling all that a few Saturday nights ago. Then something happened.
While driving home to Lanesboro, coming down the County Road 8 hill, I turned right on Parkway and saw lights on at the Sons of Norway Lodge. Then I remembered it was a “Lanesboro Barn Dance,” held 3-4 times a year, organized by Bob Bovee and friends. I pictured it as a room halfway (if that) filled with gray-haired boomers (I’m one myself) listening to old-time guitar and fiddle tunes, sipping lemonade, with a few brave souls square dancing and sluggishly do-see-do-ing. Yawn.
I poked my head in and immediately felt more than a little stupid. And definitely intrigued.
The mid-size hall was close to full, with at least fifty dancers, most in their 30s and 40s, many younger, just a few older, twirling, skipping, all enthusiastically following the directions of the “caller.” The music was loud and lively (Bob on guitar and a friend on fiddle), the energy palpable, the dancers smiling, laughing, occasionally whooping and hollering, everyone obviously having a great time. I didn’t recognize the songs or the dances. I did know what happy, positive, healthy people having fun looks like. This was it.
I was going to stay ten minutes. Nearly an hour later I pulled myself away. I never got the courage to join in the dances (maybe next time) but something definitely had happened to me. I walked in feeling close to depressed. I walked out energized, optimistic about young people in general, the world they’re making, and the future for all of us.
Will happy square dancers fix the world? Of course not. But they showed me that even in a dark world, people (of all ages) can make choices, even brief ones, to dance, sing, and play. We all need that. I thought about that as I walked to my car with a smile on my face. Not a bad way to end a Saturday night in Lanesboro.
