Several years ago, I auditioned for Listen to Your Mother, and had NO idea what I was doing. I wrote about my sister, and nothing about motherhood, or the tie in with it. Maybe I just needed to have someone to listen to my words at the moment, but I didn’t make the cast. This year changed all of that, and I shared the stage with one man and 13 other women to give motherhood a microphone. It was epic.
Balee ImagesWe spent most of the earlier part of this year doing rehearsals, and getting to know our castmates a bit better. The things that these ladies and one gentlemen spoke of had me laughing, and tearing up, and nodding in agreement. I heard about child sicknesses and the thoughts of possibly losing your child, mom guilt, relationships with grandfathers/sons/moms/and children. I listened to stories about letting go of fear, and even told one about finding the pride of your maternal ancestors to move through tough situations.
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It was empowering being on that stage. Spotlight illuminating only me. Reading words that I wrote. To people. Other than my husband. I’m learning to value my words. If I don’t, who will?
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I do love the fact that I picked such an opposite color to wear on the stage. Surrounded in black. Talking about the pride of being black. The pride of coming from a long line of black, hat wearing, women. I spoke of church, and slavery, and more church. Lots of things that I shy away from on the blog because I fear that too many people will search for the fault in the words, instead of the inspiration behind them. The reason that they needed to be written, and shared.
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I’ll let Melisa explain the pony on the podium. It’s a good story.
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I’m proud to have been in this last cast for Listen to Your Mother. I’m honored to have participated in something on stage. I’m pretty proud of ME. I’m also proud of all of these people who shared their stories about motherhood. Whether they ARE mothers, or they’ve been inspired by mothers.
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Several of the Listen to Your Mother alumni came to join us for photos before the show. It was nice to be on stage with folks that had been there from the very beginning.
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If you ever have a chance to share words that you’ve written, do it. Even if it’s only once. Do it.
Great job! I’d never have the guts to do something like that.
I wish I could have made it to the show to see it!
Thank you friend! I think you have quite enough with book writing and whatnot!
I love your words. I adore your spirit. Your face brings me joy. You were made to be in the spotlight, and I’m so glad you had this moment, but you have this presence about you that makes people smile and that, my friend, is a gift. Thank you for making me smile…on purpose…a lot 🙂
And now, I weep. Love you too friend!
Thank you for giving us another chance and for sharing your story and hilarious powerful self with LTYM. That hat-you looked divine. ❤️
Thank you for creating a movement that honors motherhood. In all of it’s beautiful grittiness.
This is amazing! You are so talented, queen!
What an amazing opportunity for you to share your inner thoughts and make them heard. Empowering for sure! I would love to see a video of your performance.
That is so amazing! Congratulations on getting out there and just doing it! You looked beautiful and so confident up there!
It’s great that you are able to get on that stage and do it. I have stage fright and have a really hard time talking to big groups of people. I’m still working on that. I am really happy for your and would love to gain that kind of confidence.
I”m with the rest of the commenters – I’d never have the nerve to pull this off. My youngest daughter, however, wants to be on the stage all the time!
WOW, Congrats to you for getting out there and letting others hear your powerful words. My oldest daughter loves the stage but me, no way, I’m a chicken that’s for sure! You look beautiful also!
Hey there fellow LTYM2017 Alum!! I had no idea this was your first. I am so happy you auditioned and made it. I love the glimpse of your story about those hat wearing churching going women. I had a good number of those in my family and if it weren’t for them – I’d be a truly different woman and mother I’m sure. I can relate to the sense of support, encouragement and even family that came from being a part of LTYM. It’s something you only get when you’ve been there but once you have – it’s unquestionable.