Open letter to the communities who embrace one another....
Dear Young Man at the Theater Lock In Whose Words Brought Tears to My Eyes,
You didn’t know you spoke directly to my heart, you were simply speaking from your own heart. I suppose that is what started my chin quivering, my index fingers wiping beneath my eyes. I didn’t want to move too much to stop the magic I was watching.
Your boldness moved me.
Fifteen feet from me I watched the magic of people in a circle, listening and speaking. One person at a time they spoke with the others sincerely listening beneath all the pencil shavings we want to erase away. All the smudges and smears that make us more interesting that too often society marks wrong or bad or not enough, these young people understood, these young people welcomed.
You - that one particular young man - were openly saying how you felt about this motley assortment of kids who found their way into theater and better yet, how they welcomed you - before they even knew you.
I found myself wistfully wishing I had found my way into theater in high school rather than what I did. What I did was fine, but it wasn’t theater. I can’t go back in time and change those choices. I pray you will stay in yours.
I pray you will remember how it felt to be heard and insist on putting yourself squarely in spaces where people are willing to listen to you like that over and over again.
Don’t let that go. Create it in places where it isn't yet. You will be giving an incredible gift to the world.
With Love and Gratitude,
The Mom
Who Had the Privilege
to Chaperone that Night
===
Julie Jordan Scott is a writer, performance poet, Mommy and mixed-media artist. Coming soon - more creativity camps, playgrounds and workshops to grow yourself artistically (and hey, just for fun!)
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© 2014 - Julie Jordan Scott - all rights reserved
This post is a part of the ongoing series for 31 Days challenge. I will be writing 31 blog stories about bold choices and using a bold voice....
I started the challenge late, and now I am caught up. This is my seventh story.
I actually have managed to be bold a lot in the last few days and plan to follow my adventures right here in this series.
The question is making sure to carve out the time and to document it all in a way you'll enjoy reading about bold choices in a most authentic, real-me voice.
I'm grateful you are reading.
