Listen To Your Mother

Me and Leigh Ann Torres, my co-producer from 2014-2016

Five years of listening

My first LTYM performance in 2013 - my topic was summoning up my courage as a new mom and trust that my newborn son would be OK, and so would I.

In 2013, I set a goal to be cast in the Listen To Your Mother show in Austin, a stage show featuring stories about motherhood. I wrote an essay about how difficult it was to hand over my son to a caretaker when I had to go back to work after my maternity leave, and submitted it to the producers. A few weeks later, I found myself trembling with nervousness at the auditions for the show, and a few weeks after that, received the email confirming that I had been chosen.

The 2016 cast - they're super shy.  :-D

Since that day, my life has been changed for the better. Through Ann Imig's Listen To Your Mother organization, I improved my confidence, met a whole lot of wonderful people, and had the extraordinary privilege of listening to stories about motherhood that made me cry my eyes out or laugh hysterically. And sometimes both. 

2016: As parents, we all want to teach our children how to respond appropriately to difficult situations. However, what we're thinking in our heads may be different than what we actually say.

The final Austin show

We hosted our last show in Austin on April 29, just a few weeks ago. Our cast, as they do every year, has bonded over this experience, and we have a dozen new friends every season. I miss these men and women immensely now that I don't see them on a regular basis, but I can see that they are spreading their wings and flying off to new destinations, every one. 

My co-producer Susanne Kerns is not only warm, generous, and hilarious, she is like Martha Stewart with extra caffeine. She's amazing.

This year, on my final curtain call for LTYM, my mom and dad were in town to see me. Having my mom in the audience while I read this piece about her was an experience I can't describe or explain. It was a magical moment that I got to share with my mom right in front of me, eyes shining as I took the stage. 

I love my mom to the moon and back. She's small but mighty.

Thank you, Listen To Your Mother, for the experience, the friendship, and the love all around. 

If you'd like to read my piece from this year's show, please see it at the Today Show Community site here: The Things My Mama Didn't Say