My dad would have been 87 years old today.

I sure would have loved him to live this long. He was kind, gentle, loving, a professor at the University of Washington….and I think of him with great appreciation every October 22nd.

How sweet to have his birthday fall on the day of dance!

Long ago, my father returned from a trip to his homeland (the Texas panhandle, surprisingly). He said in his rental car, the radio played the most delightful song. “Don’t worry, be happy!”

Of course, we included Bobby McFerron’s happy song today on the dance floor. My father died 25 years ago. But I was lucky to have such an open-minded, learned and welcoming father.

Thanks dad, and thanks to all the fabulous dancers who came to dance with us today.

We always end every dance with a circle-up for about 10 minutes only, and everyone gets to express an appreciation for anything they want.

I had so much I felt appreciative for….but dad, today you were with me.

Much love, Grace