The Dance
The Dance (written Dec. 14, 2011 on board “Liberty of the Seas”) Sometimes, standing on the sidelines offers me an amazing opportunity to observe life’s beautiful treasures. I had such an opportunity this evening. My 83-year-old mother-in-law Bootsie accompanied us on a cruise. While she wasn’t able to get out and about much on the ports of call, we all enjoyed our time together on the ship. The aches and pains that go along with getting older seem to plague her more and more these days, but she was able to enjoy many of the offerings on the ship. We feasted our final night in the formal dining room. Just outside the dining room was a small bar. After dinner, a band was playing. We stood for a few moments, listening to the salsa beat. (In their younger days, David told me, his parents danced. One of his most treasured memories is watching them dance together. He smiles every time he tells me that story.) As we listened to the music, I watched Bootsie s...