Unbearable likeness of being

July 17th, 2009

I feel brave when I’m performing
It is the color of confidence

And it feels like magic

This is a page in Georgia’s art journal she made as part of the Mini-Mermaid art e-camp this summer. She made it right before she auditioned for a part in a play last week when she was beaming pure gold and glitter like the color of confidence.

She didn’t get the part she tried for. She didn’t get any part she tried for. They gave her the part of a boy. This seems to be a recurring tragedy in her life drama. She cried for a day, and for two nights she wore sponge curlers to bed so she could convince the director, too late, that she is a girl like the girls they cast.

But she feels brave when she’s performing. She’s decided she likes her part. She’s having fun, surrounded by friends, intoxicated by the 190-proof enthusiasm that is the stage life. Watching her dive, and dip and swim to the surface again, I’ve decided that I like her part too. It’s called Georgia, and like magic, she can be anything.

9 Comments »

  1. Methinks she might have learned some of that wisdom from her mom.

    Comment by Lisa — July 17, 2009 @ 6:33 pm

  2. Instead, I am her most delinquent student, but we get by. Thank you.

    Comment by Karen Maezen Miller — July 17, 2009 @ 6:38 pm

  3. I love the art piece she made. As long as she keeps tapping into the inspiration, that is the most important thing!

    I tried out for a play when I was about Georgia's age and was cast not as a boy but just as an animal. And not even as an animal such as "The Raccoon" or something like that, but just a generic "Animal #3" (yes there were 3 of us and we didn't do much in the play).

    Comment by Mambinki — July 17, 2009 @ 8:33 pm

  4. I love her art!

    There is something about girls that is just so powerful as they discover the world.

    Comment by Rowena — July 17, 2009 @ 9:37 pm

  5. Beautiful writing. Have a great weekend!

    Comment by Cat — July 17, 2009 @ 9:57 pm

  6. you have taught many of us about bravery my dear friend. your daughter is no exception.
    i share a little on that point here- http://traceyclark.squarespace.com/blog/2009/7/17/on-taking-the-next-step.html

    Comment by traceyclark — July 18, 2009 @ 5:49 am

  7. She can indeed be anything, formed as she is of those marvelous dancing strings, and with you as a companion she has a better chance than most of understanding and embracing that.

    Comment by Marianne — July 19, 2009 @ 9:30 am

  8. I love the beautiful page from her journal. She is quite an artist! I wish hr great dramatic endeavors and the humor to revel in them.

    Comment by Allison — July 22, 2009 @ 5:14 am

  9. GG, you SO rock!!! I want to be YOU when I grow up. And your journal page kicks butt.

    Love from the East coast,
    Wendy

    Comment by Wendy — July 24, 2009 @ 1:03 pm

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment

archives by month