When the music changes, so does the dance. –African proverb

I didn’t go to my high school prom.  Actually I went to only one school dance in high school.  It was a sock hop.  I didn’t have a date.  I don’t remember if I went with some other girls or just met up with some girls when I got there.

I spent most of the evening in the girls’ bathroom.  I just hung out and talked to people and fixed my hair and make-up.  I wasn’t very comfortable out in the commons.

The commons was the big open area in the front of my high school where everyone hung out before school. It was sort of what connected the office, the cafeteria, the library, and the auditorium.  It was the dance floor that particular night.  I certainly wasn’t comfortable on the dance floor.

First, I was super shy.  And second, I went to a church that “forbid” dancing.  My parents didn’t forbid dancing, but because my church forbid it I never really went to dances, and so I was outside my comfort zone.  And third, I didn’t know how to dance.

But, when the bunny hop started, I went out on the dance floor with one my friends and we got in the line.  At the end of the bunny hop I was in the line with Mike Hillin. Mike was a very handsome, popular football player in my class. The music immediately changed to a slow dance.  And there I was stuck on the dance floor, slow dancing with Mike Hillin.  Well, there were A LOT worse places a girl could be.

And so Mike held my hand in his, and put his other hand on the small of my back, and we danced.  I was madly nervous, and terribly uncomfortable.  And something inside of me was so very grateful to Mike Hillin for being so sweet to me the night of that one dance.

As soon as that dance was over I went immediately to the bathroom and hung out.  I’m sure I fixed my make-up and hair for the millionth time. I was a pretty girl in high school, but I didn’t know it then. I had long golden hair, green eyes, clear skin, long legs, and a model’s stick thin figure. But I had zero confidence with guys.

Many times over the years I have thought about that one dance with Mike. It wasn’t Mike that was so significant. I never had a crush on him, or went out with him, or really ever talked to him much after that night. It was how he treated me for those few minutes during that one dance.

Mike could have destroyed me that night. But he didn’t.  I have no idea what he thought about dancing with a not-so-popular, shy girl that night. But he was kind. He could have been mean, or nice. And believe me there were plenty of boys at my high school who would have chosen to be mean. He chose to be nice, sweet, and kind.

Something might take place that means nothing to you, it doesn’t affect your day even a tiny bit, but it might have a life long effect on someone else. So choose to do the right thing. The kind thing. Just be nice. Choose to act like Mike Hillin did……… during that one dance.

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. –Amelia Earhart

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