Ninety-one-year-old Marie danced twice, busting out rhythms that were reminiscent of dance styles from the 1940s. At one point, Marie wobbled and almost fell. I grabbed and held onto her and we danced together until the end of the song. She rocked me hard to what seemed like a never-ending song. Marie is now my hero and friend. I want to age like that — to have the courage to "bust my moves," whatever they are, wherever I am and despite what anyone thinks.

Almost 3 year-old Lily was also dancing with wild abandon, her sheer joy and energy a magnet for other, more timid folks to get up and shake it down. Marie and Lily, at the bookends of age, showed those of us in-between what we tend to forget, that inside us we still have the capacity for unadulterated joy.

At the end of the day it comes down to community and friendship. The interconnectedness of human beings is an antidote to stress, in part, because it gives us a way to tell our stories. Sharing our personal narratives gives meaning to them, it makes them real. We create our reality through shared living, one conversation at a time.

I am grateful to people who make me happy and I am committed to having good friends who can laugh and dance around the pains of living, creating positive community and vibrant living.

So, thanks Marie and Lily and to all my friends at the in-between ages for dancing your hearts out, chatting up your friends and devoting a night to positive community building. Imagine how great our world would be if we devoted as much time to connecting positively as we do to spreading negativity.

Dancing with Marie reminded me that no matter how wobbly one may feel or how wobbly life may get, being held up by a friend who is willing to dance with you through the hard times is a gift.

Chris writes a blog and has a website. You can reach her at 734-669-7202 or by e-mail.