I’m sorry to write another downbeat post, but I found out today that one of my teachers from high school is suffering from cancer that may take her life within the next couple of weeks. And I just wanted to publicly thank her for everything she did to make me who I am today.
I was not always this blogger/lawyer, confident in her opinions and pretty sure she is interesting enough to entertain others. In fact, as a child, I was painfully shy and uncomfortable in large groups. To be honest, I am the only person I know who grew more confident through middle and high school, rather than less. Others began suffering doubts about their appearance or whether they were popular enough. I may have worn overalls, but I had killer self-esteem.
I credit this comfort with who I was (and am) to my discovery of theater and the assistance of one teacher who always had my back when it came to artistic development. I wanted to host an arts show on our local cable access channel? Done. I didn’t think I could be graceful in a white leotard and shoes two sizes too big? I wasn’t, but I never knew it until years later when at dinner, my brothers imitated my (less than gazelle-like) leaps across the stage.
I never starred in any show–I was always the character actress: a mother, a grandmother, a Shakespearean clown. But without theater and the support of this one person, I would not be at ease talking to juries or chatting in interviews. I would be silent, crippled by nerves and fears of what others might think of me. I wouldn’t sing songs down streets, dance like no one is watching in crowded bars, or ham it up for any cameras present. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like without her guidance. So although I haven’t seen her since the end of my freshman year of college when she told me I could be the next host of the Today show if I wanted, I wanted to express my gratitude in the most public forum I have available to me.
So, from the absolute bottom of my heart, thank you. I wouldn’t be even half the woman I am today without you.
