Happy to Be Me

This is my life. It is my one time to be me. I want to experience every good thing. ~ Maya Angelou

I think Maya Angelou is a bright, articulate woman. As I still bask in the glow of the weekend’s festivities and blessings, I know I want to experience every good thing. I will only get one shot at being me and I want to do it well. Last night and again this morning as I re-read my cards, I suspect I am on the right track. Sometimes, I fail miserably, but I just keep trying to be the best me I can be.

This afternoon I went to the ballet. En route, we passed a march for missing Aboriginal women which seemed apropos since one of the dances being performed was The Ecstasy of Rita Joe. The march honoured the mothers and grandmothers of these missing women. Such a crime in our country—both the abduction and possible murders and the apathy Canadians show towards the high number of missing women! In the many years since Rita Joe was written, not much has changed.

Taking time for cultural events has long been an important part of my life. Right after high school, on a visit to Vancouver, I went to see a play, A Streetcar Named Desire. I knew right then that I wanted to always immerse myself in theatre, film, and dance. Today was the last ballet of the season and as the retiring star principal dancer took her curtain call, her toddler daughter came out to give her a bouquet of flowers, making us all laugh at her cuteness. Amidst the long standing ovation, dancers young and old came forward to lay roses at her feet. Tara was overcome with emotion; twenty years of dancing was coming to an end.

It made me think of how after 30 years, I dream of doing something different and yet know how difficult it will be to leave the Deaf Community. All I do know is that clearly Tara had experienced every good thing as a dancer and her gratitude was evident. I hope when my time comes, I can say this is my life, and every good thing was experienced. I was me to the best of my ability. If the words from this weekend are any indication, I have a hunch that I am safe in this regard.

Peace,

Suzanne