A few months ago, I was part of an amazing stage experience called Listen to Your Mother. It was a little scary and a lot fabulous, and I was so happy to have family and friends in the audience to share the evening with me.
The videos for all of the shows nationwide are now on You Tube, so if you’d like to watch me completely lose my composure and make an ugly-crying face in front of the entire theater, please do so. It was much more nerve wracking to stand up there and read my writing than I thought it would be! To read a recap of my experience, go HERE before you watch.
While I know it’s difficult to find time to watch a whole show, I highly suggest you view my castmates’ readings as well. The LTYM show is so much more than the sum of its parts; to watch one piece alone does not do it justice.
My friend Stacey gave me a piece of wall art after the show. The quote on it is below, and it is so true. Everyone has a story to tell, and our stories may just inspire someone. Whether you are a mother, an aunt, a daughter or a son, consider auditioning for LTYM in your own city. What have you got to lose?
I think I read this the first day you had it up on your blog and was at work and got distracted and didn’t have time to comment – and now – thanks to Chris’ reminder on FB, I’m back to comment. And cry a little more too. Because your LTYM piece is gorgeous and all heart. And our oldest kids sound *so much alike*. I hope, like you do, that my first born daughter’s head strong nature serves her well in life, and that I can serve her well as her mother as she becomes a young adult. I loved this as a blog post, Dana, and I love it even more live. xxxoooo
Oh, thank you so much, Ilene. It’s been almost a year since I wrote it, and it still rings true. I suspect it will for a long time!
Oh. My. Heart. LOVE this – so very much. *tears* I felt you, I felt your heart. Now I am in tears and chills all over my body from this raw and beautiful mother moment.
I can picture me saying this to my daughter just a few years from now…
You are such an amazing mother, Dana.
Your precious girl AND you- are – evidence that motherhood’s journey through adolescence gives hope that love wins. Fights and wins. Over and over again.
Yes, it does. But I may need you to remind me of that some days! 🙂
Okay – I know have my ugly cry face on. Wow. Beautiful!
Thank you so much, Allie! At least no one was recording your face. At least I hope not.
I had no idea that they did these all over the country. You are so right, Dana! Everyone does have a story. I think in the blog world, I’ve seen how some of the stories overlap and you can see how much others have gone through something similar. It’s nice to get that assuring feeling that you are not alone, especially as a parent. 🙂
You’re right, Brittnei. The variety of stories that were told just at my show was amazing. Ever person in the audience could relate to at least one, and usually many more.
Excellent, moving Video, Dana.
Thank you for sharing this part of you soul.
I think you were talking about my youngest son, Alex, too. xxx
Really? Glad you could relate to it. Our children really are a part of our soul, aren’t they?
This is beautiful, Dana! I know the teenage years are challenging (not of course, from experience, but one day), but I love that you are able to see the positive in all those qualities that make it so. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for listening to it, Bev!
That was amazing,Dana! I am crying because you said it said it so perfectly. That is exactly the way it is for me and my teenage daughter. I am so proud of her but it’s never easy.
I know you can relate, Michelle. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This weekend I have big plans to curl up and watch your video and many others. I’m going to keep tissues nearby!
You could watch for hours – I was able to see the DC show and it was so powerful to be in the audience. This will definitely be an annual thing for me (watching, not speaking)!
Wow…Dana. Just wow. That did me in. *sniff sniff* So so proud and excited for you though, you did an AMAZING job!
Thank you so much Beth:)
What a wonderful and powerful video!
Thank you!
awww……you did great!!!! {{hugs}} Such a wonderful piece!!
Thank you Roshni!
Still bummed I could’t do it, but maybe next year. You were wonderful and your piece was amazing!
Thanks, Lisa. I hope it works out for you next year!
It’s not ugly crying! Not at all.
I, however, am ugly crying right now. My oldest turned five yesterday. I’ll never let go first either.
I know you won’t. Sorry for the poor timing on the video, but for mothers there is never a good time to let go, is there?
So beautiful, Dana. Your daughter sounds a lot like my daughter. With the benefit of being about 10 years ahead of you in the mothering thing, I can say that you are absolutely right. Those characteristics that drive us crazy when they are children – and especially teenagers – serve them very well as they grow into strong, confident, unapologetically smart and very interesting young women.
That is so good to hear, Mo. I’ll hold onto that when parenting is trying my patience!
I teared up when I was reading about your experience and I teared up again now. It’s even more beautiful when you read it. Thanks for sharing this!
I’m so glad you liked it Ana Lynn – thank you for watching!
This was such an amazing experience eh? I never knew the power in all of our stories and how they can truly impact another. I mean, I knew that blogging/writing does, but to see the faces…amazing.
Your piece is just…just…made me cry. Thank you for sharing this and being so brave. xo
Thank you Kimberly!
I could so relate to your video, because I think sometimes I am indeed a bit harder on Emma, because we are so much alike and that she is so very stubborn and strong willed, too. And yet, I could not love her more and being my first born she is totally and completely in my heart more then anyone could ever be. Beautiful passage and seriously as Allie wish I could reach out and hug you, too!! Thank you for sharing with us.
It was my pleasure Janine – thank you for watching!
You’re killing me!!!! I’m crying, I have chills – OMG. I had no idea how hard it would be for me to watch this. As you know, I lost my mom when I was 17 and she could have been reading this same thing to me! We clashed terribly because we were so much alike AND those things she was so hard on me for, have served me greatly as I grew-up and became a mom and athlete. This was a gift. Thank you so, so much for sharing it and I really wish I could give you a big hug!!!
Oh, Allie – I wish you could too. I’m sorry this was hard to watch, but the fact that you consider it a gift is such an honor. Thank you!