I realize that people in theatre do this all the time – give everything they have to a show, and when it’s over, they move on. But since it’s been about 10 years since I’ve done theatre, I’m allowing myself some adjustment time. And I’m fine with the fact that I process experiences slowly.
It’s been two weeks since our last show. I suddenly have time to do laundry, clean the house, and make something for dinner more complicated than frozen pizza. I get to go back to my weekly Bible study. I can actually hang out with Steve in the evenings, and I can finally get back to the stack of books waiting for me on my bedside table. (I seem to be on a freedom-for-oppressed-women kick: I just read Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne and Daughter of the Saints: Growing Up in Polygamy)
But last week, after a day or two of pretty much just coming home from work and crashing, I wandered around the house trying to figure out what to do. I felt lost and disoriented, because suddenly Daddy’s Girl was not the boss of me anymore. I left my stack of memorabilia – the poster, my program that Gary Ray Stapp signed, cute gift from the director, a menu that was used in the play, and my script – out on the kitchen island until two days ago. I just didn’t want to put it all away. Now it’s all up in my office, and it sort of looks like a shrine. Yikes.
Steve was elated that I was home in the evenings, and I was mopey. Always a good combination. We had the usual (I would assume) debates about when/if I would do a play again anytime soon. It was a pretty significant time commitment: about 16 hours a week, sometimes more. I loved every minute of it, but I realize the toll that kind of absence takes on a marriage. My hope is that next time, if there is a next time, we would both be more prepared for the time thing.
At this point, I’ve seen a couple of the cast members post-play, at home and at church, so it’s been nice to keeping building the relationships outside the theatre building. I think that’s helped put a period on the whole thing. Also the fact that life does go on!
Steve’s parents are here this weekend, then next weekend I’m going to Michigan to hang out with some college friends, then the next weekend I go to North Carolina for a wedding, and then the day AFTER I get back, I go to Peru for 10 days. And then comes the holidays. Whew. So, while I don't think I've quite gone through the conclusion to this whole experience, life post-Daddy’s Girl has been pretty good, now that I think about it!
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