Monday, January 14, 2013

What Rhapsody Means to Me: Rapture

Fran & Rich Cooperwasser
Essay Contest to Celebrate Rhapsody’s 20th Anniversary

Honorable Mention Winner: Fran Cooperwasser
 
Her Mom, Rose, always urged her and her husband, Rich, to go to Rhapsody Ballroom, a place she loved to go, but fuddy duddy music and an older crowd filled her imagination.

“Who’d want to go to the same place her mom goes, anyway,” she thought. However, it was a tempting idea since she and Rich loved dancing.

One day, losing her direction, she drove past a large sign that said “Rhapsody Ballroom!” An omen?? She turned around to check it out. Wow, was she impressed! She saw a big, beautiful, wooden dance floor, and on it a teacher instructing a large class. Not only was the music upbeat, but surprisingly the class was a mixture of all ages!

Well, from that day forward, she may have been lost, but was certainly found!!

Their first appearance on a Wednesday gave Rose such joy! They were proudly introduced to all her friends, and over time, everyone became like a second family to them. That was their first blessing – how great is more love in your life?

Rhapsody broadened their knowledge of dance and music, adding to their repertoire. How fortunate that Rhapsody was so close and so reasonably priced as well!

“Who are such generous owners?” she wondered. When she met them, Richard and Laurie Collett, she then realized why Rhapsody was thriving and now celebrating 20 years!!

Yes, the Rapture of Rhapsody, where you can exercise with excitement and creativity, meet with loving friends, hear terrific music, learn from expert instructors, and pay reasonable prices. Best of all for her, this was not only a place to share an activity with her husband but with her 91-year-old mom, Rose!

What was she thinking? How fortunate she is to still have her mom in her life and share with her this little slice of heaven called Rhapsody! How lucky is a mother and daughter dancing away the night with fun and laughter, making their bond only stronger?

She’s lovin’ all that Rhapsody has given her and…that she…is me.

by Fran Cooperwasser

44 comments:

a joyful noise said...

Thanks for sharing this sweet testimony of love at Tell Me a Story. Sharing fun with an older mom was also a highlight.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Hazel -- I'm so glad you enjoyed Fran's story! Stay tuned, and in a few weeks we'll hear from her mom Rose as well!
God bless,
Laurie

Anonymous said...

This is such a sweet story, and my, how age changes things and interests and brings families together! Blessings to you!

caryjo said...

How neat to be able to share a story from someone else. And, either way, a blessing to you.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, eviejowilson! It is wonderful when families can bond over common interests.
Blessings to you too!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, caryjo! We have really been blessed by these entries in our essay content, and we'll continue to post others over the next few weeks.
God bless,
Laurie

Ms. Kathleen said...

This sounds like fun to me - I love to dance, love music... and making new friends is always wonderful. What a blessing!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks for your comment, Ms. Kathleen! dancing is great fun & a great way to meet some very lovely people! Hope you try it soon!
God bless,
Laurie

Unknown said...

What a sweet story!

Crafts a la Mode said...

Thank you for linking this story to my linky party. Thanks, Linda

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, sherry G, for your visit & sweet comment!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Linda, for your comment & for hosting!
Have a blessed weekend!
Laurie

XmasDolly said...

Stopping by from Friendship Friday- This is just too cool. I never read anything so endearing. Thanks for sharing & have a great weekend.

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Xmasdolly,
Thanks so much for your very sweet comment! May you have a blessed weekend!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, bettyl! God bless you!
Laurie

Pamela said...

Lovely. Binding cords of a mother/daughter relationship is a beautiful thing to see.

Unknown said...

What a great story! Your blog is so interesting. I love it. Your newest follower from Sunday Social! :)

Kathy @ lifeonlakeshoredrive.com

Janis Cox said...

I have a terrible time putting in the "prove you're not a robot". I tried three times and will try once more.
Loved your story and glad to visit her once again.
Blessings,
Janis www.janiscox.com

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Pamela! What a blessing for a mother and daughter not only to love and respect one another, but to enjoy spending time together in an activity loved by both.
Thanks for your comment & God bless!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Katherine, for hosting & for your comment!
Blessings,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Welcome, Kathy! I'm so glad you like the blog & are following! I'm following you back!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Janis,
Sorry to hear of your trouble posting, & thanks for your perseverance! Your comments are always a blessing.
Have a wonderful week,
Laurie

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for sharing this precious story at A Bouquet of Talent. I had to read it to my hubby! :)

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Kathy, for hosting! I hope your hubby liked the story!
God bless,
Laurie

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for sharing another great post, your writing is truly a blessing.

Jennifer Dougan said...

Hi Laurie,

I can tell that ballroom dancing is important to you. :)

Have a great week,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, KM Logan! I can't take credit for this post, though -- it's an essay by the multi-talented Fran Cooperwasser! Blessings to you,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Jennifer,
Yes, dancing is a part of me, and now a dance ministry with my husband. We are so blessed that God allows us to do this together to His glory!
God bless,
Laurie

Esther Joy said...

Thank you for your visit to my Rock4Today blog. In return, I have loved learning about how God is working through your life. How great to be able to bring life and joy into people's lives through dancing! Blessings!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Esther Joy! God is so good to give us this ministry!
Love in Him,
Laurie

Lux G. said...

Aw. So sweet and inspiring. I sure hope I could write my own sweet story soon. :)

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Lux! Looking forward to hearing your story. God bless,
Laurie

Nina said...

The gift of having rhythm in the body and being able to spread the joy of music and dance is a blessing, for sure! Such a wonderful testinmony!

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you, Nina, for your lovely comment! Many blessings to you!
Laurie

Tanza Erlambang - Every Day Issues said...

sweet story...
have a great day

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Tanza! You too!

Aleksandra Krajewska said...

so nice ;) Good story

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Aleksandra! God bless you.

Wise Hearted said...

If we are ever close to your place we are stopping. I would love to dance and have tried to get my husband interested without success. Maybe you two could talk him into it. We could take a few lessons and maybe, just maybe.....

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Wise Hearted,
Please do stop by, and let us know so we can be there to meet you! We're in Tampa, FL, and here is a link to our website and Facebook page:
http://rhapsodyballroom.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RhapsodyBallroom/

Thanks for your comment and God bless!
Laurie

Himawan Sant said...

Extraordinary story of your love and cohesiveness with your mother.
Inspiring many people, including me to always love my mother and also my family.

Thank you for this touching story ..

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you, Himawan! God bless.

Lux G. said...

Aw, Laurie. You remind me to be thankful for what I still have. Beautifully written.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Lux G., for your visit and comment! Headed to your blog now. May I also invite you to my Bible study blog: https://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
God bless,
Laurie