Do parties and crowds fill you with energy, or send you scurrying for peace and quiet?
Even before illness reared its head I was somewhat apathetic about parties. Unable to dance well, and struggling to make myself heard I usually much prefer the quiet night in. Especially now, when I am often in bed for eight o’clock due to care times, a late night is often even more of a struggle. I am sure I sound like the original party pooper!
I love meals with friends whether I cook or they do. Informal dinner parties I guess. My very favorite kind of party is a Ceilidh, or Scottish country dancing. I used to know all the steps as I used to go to one every term at university. As my pain increased and mobility deteriorated it is one of the things I am most sad about having lost the ability to do. There’s lots to watch though: who is dancing with who; who has just made an idiot of themselves; and the music is fun to clap along to. Of course, there are often plenty folk not dancing but good luck making yourself heard above the music! One of these things you love or hate but fortunately most I know love them, though less so on this side of the border. Ceilidhs are a great leveler as everyone can join in whether you’re a dancer or not, adults, children, all nationalities. I guess that’s one of the things I love most about them. See, all this talk of ceilidhs is making me feel less ill already. I have some of the music on my ipod so I’m off to play it!
