Yes, I’m not the girl I once knew, and life is physically very challenging, BUT I have a pretty incredible life! In 2004 it was incomprehensible to think I would see my children grow up, to celebrate Dennis and my 30th anniversary, but here I am. š
There is so much information we never shared publicly during those early years because we wanted to focus on hope… have our children experience the power of hope. I’ll share those stories one day, but for the next few posts I’m going to share what I consider to be my biggest blessings in all of this madness: my Rock, Victoria and Matthew.
I’m starting with my youngest, my baby, Matthew. This guy came roaring into life 6 weeks early. He was supposed to be a July baby but he wanted a May birthday. (If you ever want to hear the story of his birth make sure to have Dennis and I tell it together. It’s guaranteed to make you laugh.)
Matthew has always been a joy. He’s calm. He works hard. He feels things more deeply than most people realize. He was 6 when one of his friends died from cancer. He was 8 when I was diagnosed. He was 8 when he asked me many, many times if I would still be alive for him to visit me in the hospital the next day. He was 8 when he would have to stand back in the doorway of my hospital room to make room in the hallway for another body to be taken down to the morgue. He was 16 when he discovered his passion for acting and found a job to pay for a year of AMTC. He was 18 when he flew halfway across the country to attend college to study acting. He was 20 when he took a leap of faith and auditioned for a production at Greenville Theatre. He was 24 when he and I were able to work our first show together, just last month.
I was given 3 days to make memories with my Core Four and to say I have been blessed beyond measure is (in the words of my cancer-survivor-warrior-sista-colorado lovin’ friend Amy) the greatest understatement of the year. š„° I’ve had a front row seat to Matthew’s life and I don’t take any moment for granted. I’ve seen joy, pain, rejection, excitement… all of it, and I’m a proud mama! He loves deeply, so to his true friends may I say that you are a blessing to me because of how you are a friend to my son.
Matthew’s journey to the stage has not been an easy one. His college experience was not a good one, but thankfully he took that leap of faith and auditioned at Greenville Theatre. The community there has challenged him, loved him, helped him grow as a performer and a human being. There’s magic at GT. The magic is the people, it’s as simple and complex as that. So to his mentors may I say you are a blessing to me by seeing how you have and are investing your time, talents, love and care in my son’s life.
I have been blessed to help out at Greenville Theatre in 5 productions this past season and what a journey it has been. It’s challenged me while allowing me to take a small part in storytelling that is so unique to live theatre. To those who have taught me, encouraged me and showed grace and love may I say thank you for being you. Every rehearsal and every night in the sound booth was a privilege. Words fall short to describe how my heart feels when I’m there.
I’ve made a short video about each of my Core Four and will share them via my Facebook page, Aimee’ Q: a theatre lovers story of survival. I’m starting with Matthew’s video because it highlights our shared love of theatre. There are many pictures from the production that we did together at GT. Every performance I had the utmost joy watching him do what he loves, with a group of extraordinary humans. To turn a phrase from my last blog, “that place and its patrons have given much more than I gave them.”
The Time that is Given 