When the New 60 Feels Like 6

I celebrated my 60^th birthday this month. The average age of onset of Parkinson’s Disease is also 60. I never wanted to be average and with the diagnosis at the age of 46, I figure I’m better than average.

Rushing through childhood, I was always in a hurry to grow up. With Parkinson’s, I’m no longer rushing – it’s more like plodding. Yet, remarkably, I’m still dancing.

In celebration of my birthday, the Rockyettes danced at my party, and I joyfully danced 5 of the 15 dances with them. Ann Kennedy, the director of the Rockyettes, carefully chose the music that represented different aspects of my life, songs such as:

Kansas City – where I grew up and lived for my first 17 years

MacNamara’s Band – representing my Irish heritage

Welcome to the Sixties from Hairspray – because I was a teenager during the sixties and also just turned 60

 California Girls – for the time we lived in California

Sing, Sing, Sing – representing my love of big band/swing music

And a surprise dance of Shake, Rattle and Roll, which is the name of my blog

It was the best birthday any 6 or 60 year old could ever have.

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My classmtes from the class of 1967 from Hogan High School in Kansas City, MO

Looking Pretty Darn Good at 60

Front L to R: Kate Kelsall, Debbie Creasey; Back L to R: Kerry Neas, Mary Hobson. All currently are living in the Denver metro area.

Comments

[Bob Dawson]

Happy birthday, young woman. And I adore the Rockyettes - never seen them of course - but the photos through the years and just the fact that they exist is funny and beautiful and good.