Stories

      I saw a truly amazing play this evening that Ball State University's Department of Theater and Dance put on. Dancing at Lughnasa was the title. Was it extremely action-packed? Not necessarily. Was it fast? Suspenseful? Did people break into song and dance? Well, actually, yes. But that's not why it was amazing.

      I've been captivated by theater (and, really, performing in general) since I can remember. I never, really, was able to put my finger on. Not sure I can yet. One thing I know, there is always a story worth hearing.

      I'm constantly interested in stories and what people have to say in the story and about the story. This evening's performance was a different kind of story. It really was a flashback of a man who was remembering when he was 7 years old. It was fascinating. The way he explained how the story unfolds reminded me of how memories unfold in front of me. Randomly. And you don't really know if it's exact, but you assume what adult things were going on while you were in the other room pretending you couldn't hear.

      Lately, meaning these past few years, I've noticed what things in my memory had the 7 year-old touch. I'm sure, had I lived through those moments now, I would have a totally different spin. But if those stories didn't happen and I have the mindset I have now, I would be different. Pretty weird to think about.

      We all have stories. Tons. We could go around the room for days tossing memories back and forth. Remind us of the good ol' days. Or "if only I knew then what I know now." Or "back when...." Truth is, stories never stop. And that's what's so beautiful. We each have spins on how things happened. We each have a lifetime full of stories worth sharing. Share your story.

Mary Taylor





My brother's amazing sense of storytelling through art.

The Future (a little more personal)

      I had an office hour with one of my advisers recently. I had explained that I have no clue, really, what I want to do in life. As in I can see my life ending up in any one out of about infinity different directions. I recently started considering seminary, I've had a love for music since before Kindergarten, I am obsessed with theater and movies, I love doing makeup, I'm super into history. I mean, I just have a lot of interests.

      What you have to understand is that I've known what I wanted to do since Kindergarten. We had to choose what we wanted to be and my teacher assured us that a lot of people change, but I swore I would pick something and stick to it. I chose singer and stayed on that path until I was introduced to theater in the sixth grade. Then I pursued musical theater. Still singing. Then I saw Daniel Day-Lewis in The Crucible my junior year of high school and decided I needed to be an actor. But, really, still a performer, so I was in the clear.

      Then I get to college. I get to college and standup comedy has become a thing that I have fallen in love with. Then I discover Women and Gender Studies and how wickedly obsessed with equality I am. Then I discover I have this love for makeup. And I discover the love I have for God and the power He has given us. And I'm hugely influenced by the Langdoc team from church. So much so that I think a lot of my considering seminary was inspired by their huge awesomeness. But I still want to do music. And theater. And movies! And comedy! and makeup!

      Why not? Why not do all of the things I want to do? We live in a day and age where that is possible.

      But what I really have to remember, and what my adviser reminded me was: life's journey is just as important as the end result. I have to trust that when I'm meant to be where I'm meant to be, I'll recognize it. That I have time. That my story is always going to be a unique one. That there's nothing, really, to be afraid of. Sure I can do all of it. Maybe I won't get through the list. Maybe I'll find something totally left field of the list. But the journey is going to be one exciting one. And huge.

Woo!
Mary Taylor