The Actress
When the auditorium blinked into darkness the murmuring of the waiting audience was silenced to a hand full of random whispers. The occasional squeak as someone adjusted their sitting position in the metal folding chairs was magnified in the blackness that had submerged the spectators. For a few moments a deep stillness hypnotized the gathering. Then slowly a small, shy light appeared, clinging to the edge of the stage. Seemingly aware that all eyes were focusing upon it, the light shivered with uncertainty before gathering the courage to continue it’s exploration. Silently, the light searched for it’s designated point of reference, then finally settled on a park bench waiting quietly in the center of the stage. Once settled, the spotlight became bolder and grew in size and intensity, revealing the cardboard trees behind the bench. Following the lead of the spotlight, other lights began to glow about the set, revealing more props and inviting the audience into their world.
A lone figure stepped from the left wings and walked toward the bench. As she moved I caught my breath. There was so much confidence and self assuredness in the young actress as she stepped into the spotlight, alone under the scrutiny of the crowd’s eyes. Before she spoke her first line, I felt the weight of the audience’s expectations. I wondered how they would react if the actress became flustered and lost her concentration. Would she be able to recover and salvage her part? Would the spectators allow any miscues or would they be merciless. I suddenly wanted to move closer to the stage. I wanted to protect the actress. I wanted her to know that I was there for her.
I remained in my seat and waited.
She reached the bench, sat down, then began her opening soliloquy. With a voice strong and melodic, the actress started to build the scene with each word drawing the audience deeper into the story. Alone on the stage, the girl never faltered. She was determined in her art. She was doing what I could never have the courage to do; stand before a large crowd and perform. She stepped out of herself and let her creative skills take over.
It was a magnificent performance. The play was long and when it ended the crowd cheered and whistled as she took her curtain call. She belonged to her audience just as they belonged to her.
I was happy for her success, yet I felt a moment of fleeting sadness. This girl was growing, moving along in her life. Does this mean that she has to leave others behind in order to move ahead?
She spotted me standing to the side and made her way through the congratulators and well wishers. She was, as always, beautiful. With a quick hug my oldest daughter said, “Thanks for coming dad, it meant a lot to me.” Then she disappeared back into the crowd to be among her friends.
I watched her and felt a nearly overwhelming sense of pride and happiness. I know that I have to let both of my daughters move on in life and that there are times when I will have to be content to watch from the sidelines. I just hope that they know that I am there cheering them on, whether they remember their lines or not. The best that I can do is admire them along with the audience. It is a part of life that I am slowly starting to adjust to.
As the building emptied, I looked back at the stage. It was once again dark except for the lone spotlight that was waiting patiently for my daughter’s return.
Take care.
How beautiful. How lucky your daughters are to know how much you love them. That is indeed a gift they will cherish forever.
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Sounds like you are a very caring and loving father of 2 daughters. I am glad that all worked out in the play! Sometimes we parents do have to watch from the sidelines!!!!!!!
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RYN: Oh…duh..I AM blonde 🙂 I got the title from a character on “Arrested Development.” An attorney named “Bob Loblaw.” Say it out loud and you will understand… NO man, be it of flesh and bone or otherwise, *I* know does laundry.
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Hey M! Great entry as always!!! How have you been? Are you having a nice holiday so far? Best wishes, xox
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So beautiful!
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I so know what you mean. I think this has been the hardest part of being a parent. To bear silent pride in your children and allow them their spacein the lime lite.
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I think you are an awesome dad 🙂 Remember when you were buying them PowerPuff dolls? I do 😉 Maybe I should send MINE to you!!
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This was such a perfectly sweet story. How old are your daughters? Happy Holidays to you!
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Awesome. I just returned from my daughter’s performance, too. So manythoughts flood through our minds as we wait – and watch – and wonder….
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Wonderful story MLM, I am glad to see you back and writing again. Your daughter sounds like a gifted and talented young woman – it’s my wager she is a lot like you.
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Lovely. Like you. Like the soul that was once part of your own sense. Spark of your spark. Light of your light. Love of your love. (And light of your darkness.) It is a beautiful thing … giving our loved ones wings. Em
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Thanks for your kind words! I think your passion for writing is even more impressive…how do you get so much time to write? Well perhaps that’s the power of writing itself! Best wishes for you…take care!
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awwww.
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RYQ about the SIMS2. It would be fine for your kids. There is no nudity (unless you get the patch *wink* and even then they look like nekkid Barbies). There is a sex thing they can do called “Woo Hoo” but you don’t see anything except them diving under the covers or water in the hot tub. Then fireworks happen when they are done. But really, I’d let my kids play the game if they were the
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…same age as yours. I wouldn’t, however, allow them to play The Sims Online. It’s a chat/Sims game and adults play there with kids. You can’t tell who is an adult and who is a child and that’s the reason I stopped playing the Online version. To be honest, your kids will LOVE the sims. It’s like playing Barbies that move and do things. 🙂 They’d love building and decorating the houses.
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Also, thanks so much for your compliments on my last entry. I always feel so vulnerable when I talk about my faith in my diary. I have gotten bashed here because of it.
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RYN: PS – yes, by all means, drop me a line.
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Obvious to see that you’re quite proud, and rightly so. I’m getting excited to see my twins at their Christmas concert this Sunday. Parenting can be tough sometimes, but there’s no better and rewarding experience in the world!!! =)
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Awesome!
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I find them passionate, graceful, & entertaining..but to learn from you also. The 3 of you are very talented men, and I admire the qualities I find in your writings. My diary is a bit of a “mish-mash” of things, and not all my entries are an attempt at creativity (sometimes I just BLAB, LOL). con’t
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That’s how I feel when I attend my sisters’ performances, but she always comes through brilliantly. RYN: M9 is not hubby… he’s an innocent (and unwitting) office crush that I sometimes have silly fanciful thoughts about. Hope your holidays are magical.
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This is very well written and speaks well of your love and pride for your daughter…. RYN: My son plays for a small Division III school in Oregon….
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Wonderful! You write so well and your daughter sounds to be so gifted. Beautiful piece. Always,
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I’m so glad I came back to read this. I’m not sure exactly if my dad feels the way you do about your daughter. But I know I feel about him they way she does about you (except when he’s being difficult and ill). I can tell you this, once there, a daughter’s love for her father never falters. She will always look for him in the audience.
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How sweet. BTW, I’m sure she knows how you feel.
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Hi, Loved this entry and all the ones before it. I’ve been sitting her all morning reading and laughing and crying. Thanks for the new stuff and for the memories. I love you!
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