Party Girls / myLot

Los Angeles, California

December 30, 2024 10:48am CST

The little park where my mom and I take tai chi class has parties for seniors throughout the year. I have tried to encourage my mom to go (and I would go with her), but her typical answer was "nah". A holiday potluck was planned just for the class takers. As the event would be much smaller and familiar faces would be attending, I nudged my mom in hopes she'd agree to go this time. She was hesitant, but finally agreed.

After class, we helped set up for the party and stayed all the way to the end. A non-family gathering, conversations, meeting new folks, prizes, awards, different foods prepared by everyone to share . . . this was a huge step for my mom. HUGE. In the end, she did say had a good time and was glad she went

. Do you ever go out of your comfort zone to find that things can actually go better than expected? Can a party atmosphere perk you up?

17 people like this

16 responses

Always smiling

@allknowing (138275)

• India

30 Dec

I am a party giver and not a party goer

3 people like this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

31 Dec

Believe me, your party was way more extravagant than this one. This was an easy going, simple potluck party, but maybe even that was a lot for my mom. Sometimes it can be stressful for the party goer.

2 people like this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

31 Dec

@allknowing And I think you do a fine job of that

. For my mom it is little steps for now - I think she enjoyed it more than she thought she would

1 person likes this

Always smiling

@allknowing (138275)

• India

31 Dec

@much2say My concept is to involve all and it works well and all enjoy the result

2 people like this

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Anna

@LadyDuck (472258)

• Switzerland

30 Dec

I am glad you arrived to convince her to join the party. We surely will not stay up waiting the new year, but we will enjoy a nice last supper of the year 2024.

2 people like this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

30 Dec

I am glad too . . . she would normally not be agreeable, but I do think it made her feel good to be a part of something social and different. I know you will cook up something special for you and your husband

. Wishing you both a wonderful New Year

2 people like this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

1 Jan

@LadyDuck Thank you! Hope you both enjoyed your New Year's Eve (I believe it's into the wee morning of the New Year there now?). We still have 5 hours to go. Take care and we shall chat in 2025

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (472258)

• Switzerland

31 Dec

@much2say - I will do my best to prepare something nice to end this year. Wishing you also a wonderful New Year.

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Amber

@AmbiePam (94509)

• United States

30 Dec

That’s wonderful! I am so glad she went. It’s tough when you know a loved one would feel better if they did something, but they just won’t give it a go. This coming year I’m going to try to say yes to more opportunities. I honestly don’t want to, but I know I’d be better off.

2 people like this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

30 Dec

I try to make sure my mom "lives" her life - my dad has been gone a couple years now. I do think she needs that nudge

. Ohhhh, that's great, Amber - I will be rooting for you

. That is definitely going out of the comfort zone, and that's a good thing . . . that is what makes us grow and develop. Who knows what it can lead to

2 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (94509)

• United States

30 Dec

@much2say Thank you! Your mom is really blessed to have you. So is your nincompoop sister, but we know she is clueless about that being so.

2 people like this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

31 Dec

@AmbiePam Thank you for saying that

. Yep - and my sister knows nothing of all the good things my mom overcame this year since she doesn't call . . .

2 people like this

rebelann1949

@rebelann (113046)

• El Paso, Texas

30 Dec

Kudos, I'm so glad she had a good time. Maybe next time she'll be more receptive to go to parties. I know how hard it can be to try to fit in with new people.

2 people like this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

30 Dec

I am hoping she could get to know some folks there and that she'd want to join in with them. I mean, I will always go with her (as that is what she wants right now), but it'd be good if she could get more independent. Yah, it can be hard . . . and for her especially as she's literally only been around with my dad for so long.

2 people like this

rebelann1949

@rebelann (113046)

• El Paso, Texas

31 Dec

It won't be easy for her to try to get to know new people, she's probably still adjusting to being alone.

1 person likes this

RasmaSandra

@RasmaSandra (81100)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

30 Dec

Glad your mom enjoyed the party, Nope I will not go anywhere or do anything by myself,

2 people like this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

31 Dec

My mom will go shopping and do things that she needs to do on her own, but never a party. My mom went everywhere with my dad, but he has been gone for 2 years now . . . it's hard for her to meet new people.

2 people like this

LooeyVille

@LooeyVille (85)

• United States

31 Dec

Yes usually in my travels

2 people like this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

31 Dec

I'll bet! That's one of the fun parts about traveling

ShannyBananny

@shaggin (72387)

• United States

1 Jan

I’m so glad she went and even more happy to hear she enjoyed it. Maybe that will encourage her to go again.

snowy

@snowy22315 (182766)

• United States

30 Dec

Sometimes yes..but I enjoy parties and am usually happy to attend

1 person likes this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

31 Dec

That's good - you are quite social

. My mom needs a boost in that area - I hope she can find people to chat with other than me.

2 people like this

snowy

@snowy22315 (182766)

• United States

31 Dec

@much2say Yeah, reasonably, but I can be quite reclusive too.

2 people like this

changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (16804)

• China

31 Dec

Glad that you finally talked your mom into going to the party ! Everything is hard in the beginning,next time,she will be delighted to go.

Bojel

@jobelbojel (36235)

• Philippines

31 Dec

Not really a party person. I'd rather stay home and watch TV.

Judy Story

@jstory07 (140353)

• Roseburg, Oregon

30 Dec

That is great she went and had a good time,

1 person likes this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

31 Dec

I am tickled that she agreed to go . . . and I'm glad she ended up enjoying it.

1 person likes this

Marie

@Tampa_girl7 (50744)

• United States

30 Dec

I’m so glad that she enjoyed herself.

1 person likes this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

30 Dec

She did

. I hope she will continue to do more things

1 person likes this

Marie

@Tampa_girl7 (50744)

• United States

30 Dec

@much2say I hope so too.

2 people like this

Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (19621)

• London, England

31 Dec

Tai Chi is something I'd like to try, but so far I've found no classes in my area

1 person likes this

much2say

@much2say (56396)

• Los Angeles, California

1 Jan

There are actually a lot of videos on YouTube . . . that's what got me started. Tai chi is a rare find around here too (they are quite popular in the pockets of Chinese communities though).

1 person likes this