About a week ago my husband stated that he wanted to be more involved in our Buddhist community. We discussed going to the meditation and yoga classes. We discussed joining one of the groups and actually taking the classes offered.
Today as Princess and I were discussing the upcoming Obon Festival, she was really excited about learning a few of the Bon Odori dance steps. (A very abbreviated lesson on Obon: Obon is a time when you honor the spirit's of your ancestors. The dance is a folk dance to welcome the spirits.)
Princess and I discussed going to the lessons and dancing in the festival. Since it will be somewhat dark and there will be other people there who have no clue what they are doing, I agreed that I would go to the lessons with her. I am what you would call rhythmically-challenged. (I have Zumba on the Wii, so I don't have to shame myself in public.)
Princess asked Military Dad if he wanted to go with us. His immediate reaction was no, but then after further discussion (READ: begging) he agreed. Here is how it went:
Princess: Daddy, can we do the Obon dance lessons?
MD: Sure, when is it?
Me: Tuesdays at 7.
MD: How much is it?
Me: It's free.
MD: What am I missing here?
Princess: We are going to learn how to dance for the Obon festival.
MD: Wait, what?! I don't dance.
Me: You said you wanted to be part of the community.
MD: NOT DANCING!
(Laughter on my part; panic on his.)
Me: You dance around, in a circle. They actually have lines painted on the ground and you follow what the person in front of you does. It's easy. Look, I'll show you some YouTube videos and you can see that it isn't that hard.
(watched several videos)
MD: (I'm not sure whether the look was pure terror or part of an anxiety attack - but we'll go with "look of surprise.")
Me: It's Tuesdays at 7. The kids will have a blast.
MD: So we show up and they tell us what to do? We don't have to actually do it at the festival though, right?!
Me: Yes, we will go learn the steps and then watch other people do it during the festival. (Knowing that his daughter will drag him into the middle of the fray and he will willingly go.)
