Changing Lives, Holiday Style
When I was around Michael’s age through 12 years old, I spent each holiday season rehearsing for and performing in The Nutcracker. Those years are still some of my fondest life memories. There are so many reasons that I felt such joy there - the excitement of performing, the friendships with fellow dancers - boys also doing ballet, doing something I was good at (there were three casts, I was in all of them - yes, I’m bragging), and having the full support of my family who would dutifully take me and pick me up from all rehearsals and performances.
It was probably that last point that made me feel best. While I don’t know that any of us knew then for sure that I would grow up and marry this Joey G man, I do think that their support was a wink and a nod that I was doing the right thing. I was doing a thing that most boys didn’t do, and by them showing up, I know that the excitement and joy I felt was valid, that I was valid.
When we were unpacking the ornaments the other day I found this along with this note from my favorite Aunt Shannon.
Aunt Shannon passed a few years ago, but was always one of my biggest fans, for all the right reasons. She bought me my first subscription to Saveur magazine, taught me about new foods that I had no idea we could get in Utah like sticky rice and tamarind sauce, and had the most stunning garden. She tried to take me to the touring show of Cats, but even I thought that was too gay (not to worry, I’ve seen it about 20 times since).
So as I write this some 29 years later, I am still flooded with positive emotions and memories, and am inspired to go all in when it comes to nurturing my son’s passions. Like all of us, he needs validation, and I need to pile it on! He needs support as he finds what he is good at. And he needs as much holiday magic that we can create. This year, maybe you too will be inspired by all my Aunt Shannon. Maybe you’ll pick out an ornament, write a little note, and change the life of a child forever. That’s magical.
xoxo,
Scott