Last fall I signed on to do Listen To your Mother for the third year with Jennifer. However, life got in the way and I had to let it go for this year. I was saddened by this but also needed the time to get through my own stuff.
Thankfully, Jennifer and Ramona were gracious enough to have me help out with auditions and let me feel a little bit a part of this year’s show.
And then I sat in the audience last Saturday night and was blown away, once again.
Afterward one of the cast members saw me as I walked toward her to tell her how well she did and congratulate her and she immediately recognized me (from auditions) and hugged me. “Thank you for being the first one to talk after my reading and to tell me it was okay to cry.” I was sort of taken aback because I do not necessarily remember that I was the first one who spoke after she read her words to us that day, but her story left an imprint on my heart in a major way. And I do remember acknowledging her sorrow and her pain.
Elizabeth’s story is raw and real. She’s not mincing words or pretending that what happened to her was less than it was. She’s completely telling it like it is and putting it all out there for everyone to hear. Her bravery is a testament to what this show can do for people.
She recently posted on her own blog about the experience she had being in the show and her words evoke the true feeling of what this show is about. It’s life-changing. And some may think that is a cheesy thing to say but if anyone were to look at the Facebook threads I have read lately you would know it is true.
Being in the audience of the show I should have been helping to put together was hard, I will not lie (I hope to return next year). But it was also good for me… to see things from a different perspective. To hear some of the stories for the first time and really FEEL them from the dark of the room. It also solidified what this show means to me, personally. It’s not “just a show” or some other thing I have done in my life. It’s much more than that. It is bonds formed, possibly life-long ones. It’s words of “yes me too” or “I’m so sorry you went through that.”
I think most people know that I believe telling our stories is vital to our existence. And everyone does it in some way, whether they stand up on a stage and make people laugh or cry with their words, under a spotlight, or they are just telling their friend about the crazy person they sat next to on the plane the other day. We ALL tell stories. We all LIVE stories.
And I believe we all LIVE to TELL stories.
Even though being in the audience wasn’t where I feel I should be, I am glad I was there this year to support Jennifer, Ramona and the amazing Southeast, TX cast.
See you next year, backstage….
*also linking up with MamaKat since this is an Instagram photo I took last week and I’m pretty sure I told you why I love it. 😉
Elaine, you belong in LTYM! It’s not the same without you and Jennifer as a team! And, I read Elizabeth’s story. Wow. I’m glad you shared.
Some years are meant for taking breaks and some are meant form getting back in.
Hope you’re doing ok this week.
Blessings, my friend!
Debbie Slaughter recently posted…OH, the Difference a Season Can Make!
I have never been to a LTYM show, can you believe it? Yet I watch the videos and read the threads and feel a sisterhood because of what you said here – we all live stories, and whether they were constructed for us or by us to tell or to hear, above all, what matters is that we share them.
It is the same reason for blogging for me. The stories, documenting them and keeping them for my kids. I am glad you got to have this experience. It has always sounded so fun.
You already know that I missed you. I’m so glad you were able to make it to the show.
I think we live to tell stories too. I’m glad you got to be a part of it even if you were not front and centre this year.
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I’m sorry you felt a need to sit out from the show this year, but I bet it will make your return that much better next year!
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It sounds like it turned out to be a great show and that you offer nearly as much strength as part of the audience as you do behind the scenes on stage. Someday I hope to make it to one!
Oh, you haven’t been yet? You must do your best to make it! 🙂 So wonderful…