If you remember back to my first post of the year, I wrote about how I wanted to put myself out there more – to take chances, to say yes.
And guess what? I followed through. I submitted my writing to Listen To Your Mother. After clicking send, I was filled with pride for sticking my neck out there. Yes, that was a good day.
A few days later I got the email that they wanted me to audition for the show. Another very good day.
Last weekend, I read my piece to Melisa and Tracey, the producers of the Listen To Your Mother Chicago show. I had practiced in the mirror everyday, but standing in front of these ladies, kind as their faces were, was different. On one hand, I wasn’t distracted by my age spots or runaway eyebrows. But on the other hand, I knew this one reading would determine if this thing I wanted more than I had realized, would be mine.
When I left the audition, I placed my odds at 50-50. Well you know how that goes. I read their posts on Facebook and the LTYM Chicago website about how talented everyone was and how hard it was to place such wonderful writers in the pile marked “No.” By Tuesday morning, I was down to 90-10, seeing only a glimmer of hope that I would make the cast.
I was coming in from emptying the vacuum canister into the trash (yes, my life is glamorous) when I checked my email for the thousandth time that day. I started jumping up and down as soon as I read it (thank God I had emptied my bladder before emptying the vacuum, am I right, ladies?). My kids, already home from school, knew immediately what all the jumping meant. Of course, they joined in, especially when I said that we would celebrate by ordering pizza instead of the having the fish I had thawed for dinner. Jump! Jump!
Later that night, while sitting across from my sixteen year old daughter, she looked at me and said, “I’m proud of you, Mom.”
I did this because I wanted to meet people, because I thought it would be fun, and because I love to write and share stories. But, I also did it for that, up there, what she just said.
My children have seen me do laundry. They’ve seen me cook dinner, help with homework, and volunteer in their schools. And all of those things have been important and have meant something. I know that that to be true. But those things are not all that I am. I want my children to see me (even if only on video) walk up on a stage and read words that I wrote, because that’s part of me, too.
I am incredibly excited to be part of 2013′s Listen To Your Mother. The show is on May 5 at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago. Tickets go on sale soon!
Jumping with you! Can’t wait to share the stage!
So excited to meet you!
Oh, Shannon, yet again I sit here teary-eyed. I know EXACTLY what you mean about her comment. It doesn’t matter how many dinners I cook that taste really good, how many nicely ironed shirts they put on, or how many trips back & forth to school & practice I make for them…..that little tiny moment of hearing one of them say “I’m proud of you” makes all the difference in the world.
Congratulations on your very cool achievement with the show! And congratulations on reaching Mommy-stardom!
Thanks, Penny! I’m fist bumping you right now. Did you feel it?
Felt it, my friend!
Now that you’re famous, I’ll have to not wash that virtual hand! heehee
Tears. Thank you for this.
Thank YOU, Ann! Really, really, really, THANK YOU!
My kids have no clue about the show…but now I feel like I should explain it!!
Lisa @ Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy recently posted..Listen Up!
I’m not sure how old your kids are, but mine are old enough (two teens and one 10yo) to benefit from seeing me get excited about something that doesn’t revolve around them. It’s really been a neat experience to share with them, and it’s barely started!!!
my boys are 10, 9 and 5.
I think I’ve kept it from them because I do not plan on taking them or even sharing my piece with them because of its topic. But will likely share the video with them in a couple years
Lisa @ Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy recently posted..Listen Up!
Holy cow, I am CRYING reading this. I am SO happy that YOU are so happy and that the show means this much to you, too! It’s going to be phenomenal because we have a cast with people like you in it.
tracey recently posted..You know you’re insane when 20 hours in a car with 3 children sounds like a sweet deal…
Thanks, Tracey, for your comment and for all of the work you and Melisa put into this experience!
Can’t wait to sit in the audience and cheer you on! Way to go!
Congratulations, Shannon. Knock ‘em dead.
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Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you. Your kids’ reaction brought tears to my eyes. I only wish I could be there in person to watch your performance! You go, girl!
Kristen @ Motherese recently posted..A Love Letter to my Parents
Thanks, Kristen. I wish you could be here, too. That would be icing on the cake.
CRYING AGAIN!! Geez.
This is so great. Really. This kind of stuff makes me even more excited about the show, and I really thought I couldn’t get any more excited. xoxo
Melisa recently posted..Girls’ Night Out: Go Red For Women!
Oh I’m so excited for you! That will be such an amazing experience. Good luck – and have a blast with it! What are you reading about?
Michelle recently posted..I Suffer From One-More-Thingitis
I love how you describe all of this. I saw the email when I glanced at my phone when getting ready to take my kids somewhere. I pulled the car over on the side of the road and told them “Mommy needs to read this RIGHT NOW.” I re-read it a couple of times because I kept looking for the “but…”
Looking forward to sharing the stage with you.
I love your daughter’s reaction. My 10 year-old read my piece after the audition and said, “I’m somewhat flattered and somewhat offended.” I’m not quite sure how she got to either. But I do love how you said you wanted your kids to see the writer part of you, too. That’s awesome, and so very important.
Shannan recently posted..Presidents Day activities, trivia and history for kids
Congratulations!!! What an awesome validation for “putting yourself out there!” Really excited for you!
Mary Swan-Bell recently posted..Always Say I Love You
I’m sorry for the late congrats!! Congrats!! I visited before, but I can’t remember anything. Like where my minivan keys are or what street I grew up on. Can’t wait to meet you & thank Kari for sending me back over (again).
Signed, Dopey
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