Senior citizen dance and celebration of life
Student work that inspired the project
(Includes Pictures and Video of the event)
Event Description:
After a long brainstorming discussion, students of the Winter 2015 class chose to work alongside senior citizens in an effort to gain a better understanding of their choices for an active lifestyle and to honor their voices as igniters of wisdom and grace. Every Sunday night many of the residents of the Gresham Senior Center unite at the Veterans of Foreign War VFW Post 4248 to dance and celebrate life. As a class, we were invited to join in this celebration and were given the opportunity to interview each one asking the following questions. Their responses were sincere, funny, and heartwarming,
What do you think is the secret to living a long, healthy life?
(Sampling of answers)
-If you are not here for a long time, you better be here for a fun time!
-Never take anything so seriously that it will bring you down. Always find ways to be positive and spread the cheer because you are what you think you are, Happy - Happy - Happy!
-Keep moving and smiling, stay happy, socialize and laugh a lot.
-You never truly know someone, I have yet to understand and know myself.
-Be true to thyself.
-Don't get married too young.
-Joy, staying active, being secure, being a good loser.
-Do all you can to prepare for the future and finish your education.
If someone were to make a book about your life, what would the title be?
(Sampling of answers)
-"I Just Came Here to Dance"
-"Ups and Downs"
-"Being Honest"
-"Only the Good Die Young"
-"The Last Stop"
-"Calamaties Untold"
-"I Had a Good Time in Japan"
-"Kansas, Kick the Can, Hide and Seek"
This community of people graciously embraced our presence, shared their life stories, joked and laughed with us, taught us the two-step and waltz and gave us the gift of friendship. We were inspired by their stories and will hold in our hearts their energy and zest for life.