"Taller Than Me" is on his way to New York City! He has raised the necessary funds to attend the summer session of the Lead America's theater program. To raise the money he put on a variety show that he was the MC for as well as a performer. (It actually was considered his final for his drama class as well)
It has been told to me that folks with allot of money send their teens away to Lead America programs without a blink of an eye at the $3,000 enrollment fee. I don't know if this is true or not but I do know we are not 'people with money' and when the costs were made known to us, my husband and I looked at one another and winced. How would we afford this?
Taller Than Me was not going to miss this amazing opportunity to visit the heart of the theater world. He began planning ways to raise the money, "I could mow lawns, have a car wash..." he said. Then the idea of the variety show came to him and he and his friends put allot of energy into making it happen. It was big success and he raised all the funds needed to go!
We are very proud of him. Monday morning he's flying away to the big apple.
I am presently battling strep throat and saying a prayer that he will not get it while in NY. I don't have much energy to help him pack. I keep thinking about the way things just seem to work out. I can't help him pack, I can't go with him on the plane...this is his journey. He's almost 17 years old. I know I have to let go, and I know this is practice for when he leaves for college. But I worry when I think of the responsibilities placed on me at 17 compared to what he has had to do.....
When I was 17 I was a parentified child, I already was an adult. My mom became disabled when I was 16, I ran the household after that. I took care of my brothers, did the grocery shopping, cleaned house, cooked all the meals, drove family members (including my mom) to doctor's & dentist appointments, I balanced the check book for the household (because my mom had always done that) I made sure bills were paid, everybody had their lunches for school, clean clothes to wear....etc.
'Taller Than Me' has never had to do very much for himself, it's true.
I mean yes, I am a Montessori Mama and sure he is an independent young person; he has many useful skills. He's bright and capable and I did teach him how to do his own laundry, cook, vacuum....but we live in rural Maine, not NY city. I don't think he's ever been on a subway or any public transportation actually.
This is a Mama ramble of worry. I know he'll be fine and learn allot and come back even taller than me. I just can't believe this young man was once my little baby. And now he's almost old enough to go out on his own. I know he is blessed to have not been forced to grow up and I know that his journey is his story and this experience will help shape him into the man he will one day be.
I've just always been responsible for him, for everyone. And I pray that his Dad and I have given him enough tools, information and spunk to survive:
a solo plane ride
NY city
three weeks on his own
and not knowing anyone
And I hope he remembers me when he's a famous actor on Broadway.
He-He (Now you know where he gets his dramatic side from).
Thanks for reading, as always,
and please stay healthy ~ strep throat rots.
in PEACE to you and all your BIG and little ones,
Jennifer
