“How long have you been standing in the shadows? My whole life.” - Lucas Beineke - The Addams Family 

Broadway - always exposing universal truths in the most entertaining ways. Before COVID hit, Kate and I had tickets to Jagged Little Pill in New York, we were going to go before we hit the Atlanta qualifier for volleyball, and then everything came to a screeching halt. I remember how subdued she was over dinner on April 8, 2020, and it didn’t take me long to realize why - we were missing our trip. I’ve promised her we’d make it back, and the time is coming. 

I wasn’t going to write a blog this week, I’ve been working on another big project and doing so much writing for that, plus traveling to watch the ever resilient Stanford Men’s Volleyball team battle in Provo, UT, I thought I’d take a week off. But ,just home from Kate’s first live onstage play, Redondo Union Theatre Arts presented The Addams Family live and in person tonight, and these kids were so amazing, I decided I had to write down a few words. 

What makes us step out of the shadows and into the light? Alignment…when our vision matches our values. There are practical ways to assess how we are doing on that road, but most of all, alignment feels like a deep seeded contentment that you can trust. It brings calm, sustainable energy that doesn’t waver, and points you toward your purpose. It brings meaningful connection to our lives and instills a confidence that inspires us to step out into the light. No one is meant to live life in the shadows, yet somehow, there isn’t one of us that doesn’t know what that stuck and lonely feeling feels like. 

The self awareness and confidence it takes to step out on stage and be seen is something these kids have learned through the discipline of showing up and learning to shine.  And Kate, you have known it and shown it since your first family theatre production. The way you and your classmates have had to create a new kind of success, and support each other through this difficult year, means you will forever be able to think on your feet.  Your vision and values are aligned, keep checking in with them and trust that your intuition will not steer you wrong.  

Sending so much love and encouragement to step out of the shadows and shine bright on any stage life puts you on…I have no doubt there will be many more. 

One of our favorites…more universal truth

With love & optimism,

Mom