ST. PETE, Fla. — From the grass skirt to the colourful lei to the flower in her hair, one St. Pete senior is attempting to be as genuine as she will be able to in the case of the hula. It’s a practice she holds pricey to her coronary heart when educating others.
Some of 85-year-old Mary Ann Wilcox’s favourite reminiscences had been going to Hawaii along with her husband, so when he handed away she determined to convey Hawaii to St. Pete.
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Wilcox remembers the first hula lesson she ever obtained whereas vacationing in Waikiki along with her late husband Floyd again in 2005.
“She said you got to smile, otherwise you are going to sit on the bench, because Hawaiian dancers are supposed to be happy,” stated Mary Ann.
Mary Ann has been smiling ever since. Hawaii turned an annual trip vacation spot for her and Floyd.
“Well my husband did not dance hula but he certainly loved it,” stated Mary Ann.
However, their previous couple of journeys had turn out to be bitter-sweet, Floyd was dying of most cancers.
“I really think that being there extended his life because they gave him five years, he lived ten,” stated Mary Ann.
When Floyd handed away in 2014 Mary Ann stated she wouldn’t return with out him, however she would move on the love of hula to buddies and neighbors at the Sunshine Senior Center.
“Well it makes me very happy because I’m doing what I’m supposed to do and when I hear the giggles and the laughter and the fact that they had a good time that is my thank you, that I can spread the aloha spirit of happiness and joy,” stated Mary Ann.
Mary Ann even provides the flowery leis and the grass skirts, it’s greater than a dance, it’s the story of the Hawaiin individuals.
“We talk about how the sun smiles and the trade winds sing a melody through the trees,” stated Mary Ann.
She’s at all times on the lookout for new dance companions to share in the magic.
“So I dance with the butcher at Publixs, I dance with the cashier at Winn-Dixie,” stated Mary Ann.
She stated she is aware of Floyd is trying down smiling from heaven.