The day after we received the text that our adoption was not going to happen, we had tickets to The Lion King. My parents had bought these for us and my brother's family over six months ago and we had been anticipating this show for all of that time. But with our news, I wanted to crawl into a cave and just sit for a while. I didn't want to go out. I for sure didn't want to get dressed up. I kept thinking about that part in Their Eyes Were Watching God when she is too busy mourning the loss of her husband to dress up, so she goes to the funeral in overalls. That's how I felt.
But I knew better.
I knew that going to this play, sitting with my excited children, putting on some lip gloss, would be the best thing for me. So I went. And I can't tell you how happy I am that I did!
That first number, when all of the animals flood the aisles, had me in tears. I knew in that moment, that this falling the night after our news was a sweet gift from God. The shear beauty of that scene overwhelmed me by all of the goodness that is to be had in this world, and the reminder that every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights. I can't even put into words how amazing that scene is, or the whole play even. It is colorful, creative, and full of life.
Later in the play, there is a song that the adult Simba sings about the sun always rising. I was pretty sure that song was in the play just for me. It was just what I needed to hear.
We had a wonderful night. The kids loved it and so did we. It was so fun to be in the theater, at night, with an audience full of children. The clapping, the shouting, the exuberance they bring- I want them to be there every time!
Have you seen The Lion King? Did you choke up too?
3 comments:
Yes, we took Laith when he was 3 or 4, and I also saw the play in college. And I do cry every time, though I try to hold it back. (I'm not sure why...) It's just that I'm not sure why I'm crying, and I try to be reasonable. :)
it is so beautiful, that part.
You are in our thoughts and prayers, Mandi, you and your whole lovely family.
By the way, your kids are absolutely gorgeous! Who said they could get so long and lean?
PS I was joking, about trying to be reasonable. (In many areas, I am one of the least reasonable people I know, and find it endearing, of myself.)
Not that it's unreasonable to cry in The Lion King, of course.
haha! I totally got what you meant!
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