My first slow dance was to Skeeter Davis’, “The End of the World”.
Over in the corner of the dimly-lit room was a record player, along with a stack of 45’s. Four bars into the piano intro, Bev Benson approached me, asking if I’d like to dance.
Why does the sun go on shining?
Why does the sea rush to shore?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world
‘cause you don’t love me anymore?”
Two minutes and thirty-eight seconds of swaying … mindful stepping … tentative holding … swaying … relaxed holding. I had no idea this much multi-sensory input for a boy of nine or ten would etch three minutes into a permanent lifetime memory. Even today, I can close my eyes and smell Bev’s hair. How is that even possible?
Further details are fuzzy. We hung out with her friends, mostly Janice and Pat. Bev’s favourite band was Dino, Desi and Billy. I thought that was pretty unique, given the world of music was being swept up in the British Invasion.
Apart from that, I don’t remember very much. But I’ll never forget that dance.
What do you remember about your first slow dance?
Blessings on your home,
robert
Peace in the Home 