Anyway - in honor of Tuesday, I will be posting descriptions of the people who most inspire me.
The Soul Sister - I don't know if she knows I feel this strongly about her, but I so do. She started off as a kid I taught back when I was in the public school system, and now she's blossomed into this amazing and inspiring friend. Back when I was teaching we had this time where we weren't really talking - things were very professional on my end, and she wrote me this letter about how she felt like we had a real relationship and "what happened to that?" It really jolted my perspective - she had always been a kid I looked up to (yes, that happens). She steered me toward vegetarianism and encouraged me to think outside the box. Now - I think - we encourage each other in our multi-faceted endeavors. I never feel like there are pieces of my life that I can't share because it will sound stupid or conceited or lofty or too "head-in-the-clouds".
The Roommate - We're not roommates anymore, but it was good when we were. There aren't a lot of people in this world I think I could stand to live with, but she was the best. There also aren't a lot of people out there who I can say truly understand me, in the depths of my being, and she is one of them. No matter how much the outside layers of me change, she knows the core of who I am, the unchanging part that makes me, me. She knows just what to say at all the right times, and even if we haven't talked in ten years, I know I can call her and we'll pick up where we left off. She's the first female friend I ever really trusted, and she's never broken that trust.
The Accountability Partner - In my life today, I have a "best friend". She's the one who calls me on my crap. She's the one who tells it like it is. She doesn't sugar coat it. She just lays it out on the table in it's raw energy and sticks by my side til I'm through the rough patch. She knows my darkest sins, my secret fears, and she loves me anyway. I tell her things I would shudder to tell another soul, and she does the same for me.
The Self-Proclaimed Temptress - another former student who I'd consider now more of friend and colleague, she's a person who knows who she is and doesn't care what anyone else thinks. A person who is actually in tune with her sexuality and who continues to inspire me as a creative creature, she is not who I am or who I was, and we are not on the same paths, but her path has brought light to mine.
The Playwright - One of the most beautiful people I've met, she knows her faults and weaknesses and pushes through them to get to the place she wants to be. Her entire essence is something I like to drink in. Her play pushed me to places I never thought I'd go, and she's one of those people who is truly bottomless when it comes to character and soul.
The Voice Teacher - She's been to the top of her game, and fallen to the bottom of the ladder. She knows what it's like to have everything you've dreamed of and then to have your hopes dashed beyond repair. Her journey is incredible, even as she lives in this little house on the water and teaches lessons and dabbles in new genres she has kept her spirit alive, and rekindled her love for a thing that had become her enemy. She inspires me with her encouragement and her creativity in facing each challenge left on her doorstep.
The Director - I haven't directly spoken to her in years, but she is constantly in the back of my mind as a woman I want to emulate. She's quitting the college circuit to be a life-coach full time, but for me, she will always be what femininity, directing, and theatricality should be. When I first saw her I loved everything about her - the way she dressed, the way she smelled, the way she spoke - and the more I got to know her the more I wished to be so grounded, so talented, so beautiful. Every time I put on a long sweater and sit behind a casting table I am reminded of her and how she influenced my life.
The Mentor - She is one of those Christians who has "sparkly eyes" - one who is sure of her faith and who God is and where she's going when she crosses to the other side. She speaks with boldness and apologizes with sincerity. She loves just a little too much and pours herself out even when she, herself is in pain. She is supportive even when she doesn't fully understand, and she hugs when we find ourselves in tears over a foiled plan or spoiled relationship.
And there are more, but I could sit here for hours describing them and their beautiful, flowing, creative lives that have touched me in so many ways. Being around these women gives me energy and strength, and inspires me to try new things and go through decidedly open doors with boldness and love. It is women like these that I desire to be around, to mold friendships with, to emulate and understand.
It's funny - when I started this list, I assumed that there would be an equal number of men and women, and here I am with this lengthy list of women. Ten years ago, I don't know that I could've named anyone except the obvious few teachers and famous folks and my mom who influenced my life and taught me a little bit about how things COULD be - my list would have been full of men and boys who lit or drove my path for a time. And so I change, and so change the things around me.
If I could be in a room with all of these women, I think it would be too overwhelming for words. Each of them so beautiful it brings me to tears. Each of them so important, I owe them more than I could ever give.
Thank you.
1 comment:
i <3 u.
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