Dancing Around the World
Dancing Around the World
"Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows." Pope Paul VI
For years I've had this crazy idea to dance around the world. My vision was to visit every state, every country and find a local partner to teach me their native dance (e.g. "Argentine Tango" in Argentina; "Flamenco" in Spain, etc.). The idea seemed pretty far-fetched . . . until tragedy struck my family.
My brother Paul was 53 years old when he was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer, and his death seemed imminent. However, he not only survived for four more years - he really lived until he died and that inspired me!
Paul’s death at age 58 left me the sole survivor of my family. My father died at 36, and my mother died the day after her 65th birthday. Being alone and keenly aware of my mortality was a real crisis for me. “What am I going to do to be happy with the rest of my life? . . . however long that is.” The answer, of course, was to Dance Around the World. It involves everything I love and everything I want to be. I love traveling. I've always wanted to be a writer and a better photographer. But, most of all, I've always wanted to be a beautiful dancer! Dancing Around the World is my soul!
Dancing is what brings me joy!
I hope you’ll join me as I show you the world, the videos of my humble attempts to dance, and how I do this on a part-time salary. I'll show you how to find the money, the time and the resources to dance around the world too.
Having started this project late in life, it’s also my mission to show you that it's never too late to pursue your dream!
My greatest wish is that my journeys will inspire you to ask and answer the question, "What do I want to do with the rest of my life?”. Then, as you begin to pursue your dreams, you too will help keep my brother's spirit alive.
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver
People who inspire
People who inspire
PAUL dennis BUSHEE
(1953 - 2011)
The way Paul lived the last four years of his life were inspiring.
He spent as much time as possible with the two greatest loves of his life -- his daughters Heather and Stephanie. He landscaped and remodeled his whole house, almost entirely on his own.
He bought his dream car, a Mustang convertible . . . and his dream truck, a Harley Davidson . . . and a few days before he died, he had his eye on a Mercedes Benz . . . . and a puppy. He never gave up hope, and his doctors still use him as an example of how someone can live a full life, even with cancer.
Paul was one of those people who truly never complained about his illness or the things he had to endure. One way he coped was with his never-ending humor:
He referred to chemotherapy as "The Juice" and just needed to know which "Flavor" would be used this time.
After four years of being treated at Mayo Clinic, he joked that he knew enough about medicine to treat himself. Occasionally he'd playfully turn down invitations by saying, "Let me check my schedule to see if I can squeeze you in. Nope, sorry, no can do. I'm starting my medical residency that week."
Toward the end when Paul got weaker, he got a handicapped sticker. He really didn't look disabled, so when he parked in the handicapped spot, people sometimes asked what his handicap was. Paul's reply? "It's mental."
Paul was taken to the hospital the night before he died. As the ER doctor worked on him, he explained what he was doing, "Paul, we're giving you some albumin now," to which Paul replied, "Nice ta meetcha Al Bumin."
Although Paul never went to hospice, he did check out one facility. He liked the parking lot because it had room for his car . . . in case he needed to go to an all-you-can-eat buffet. He really thought it needed a bar though. After brainstorming a few ideas, Paul thought it should be named . . . "The Dead End".
In the dead of winter, Paul wore this shirt to his second major surgery - this time to remove tumors from his liver.
When Paul worked at Mack Truck, he gave me this piston keychain. I take it with me on all my trips.
If only Paul's little piston could talk . . . it goes with me wherever I go. It's ridden the stunningly beautiful Pacific Coast Highway. It's been to all the Caribbean islands and Puerto Rico, the Mexican Riviera, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Dominican Republic. It's been to Seattle, Portland, New York City, and Washington, D.C. It's been "over the pond" to Portugal . . . and it’s still traveling.