All tagged Hamilton
What do I even say about the magic that occurred on Sunday evening? I was so caught up in the logistics –family and friends coming in from out of town, making sure everyone’s tickets were squared away, that they knew how to get to the after-party – I hadn’t given much thought to the main event. That was admittedly on purpose though. One of my favorite coping mechanisms is to focus on what I can control so I don’t dwell on what I can’t.
I asked Miguel if he wanted to write this week’s blog post in honor of his final performance as Alexander Hamilton this Sunday. He kindly obliged. I don’t believe that either of us has been brave enough to sit down and process what this show has meant to our family and how complicated this goodbye is.
Well, friends, I finished the first draft of my book last week: 63,000 words that ensure Adelaide will live forever. At first I thought the book was going to be about Adelaide: her life, loss and lessons. But what ended up coming out was my own journey and how her lessons and her losses forever changed the course of my life. Now, I just need to find someone willing to take a chance on me and my inchstones.
Dear Chicago,
Miguel and I stood in a bar in the city where we had met and grown our family, surrounded by some of our dearest friends. It was our going away party in New York City and the night was coming to a close. We thanked everyone for coming out, for years of friendship and reminded them we would only be gone for one year - that was four years ago. How could we have known how this city would steal our hearts? How we would find a home here in all the ways that matter? I truly don’t think there was a more-livable or better-suited city for our family, during this time in our lives, than Chicago.
As Father’s Day approaches I asked Miguel to share his experience grieving Adelaide because other men need to know they are not alone in their grief journey. Just as Mother’s Day can be a minefield for some, Father’s Day poses its own challenges for others. Or, maybe, there is peace.
It was just one week. One regular looking week on the calendar - but it was anything but. Four years ago this week, the trajectory of my life, which I had been meticulously planning and mapping, was blown off course. It wasn’t just a small nudge but three hurricane force blasts. At the time I could feel their sudden impact but there is no way I could have grasped the ripple effects they would have on the rest of my and my family’s life.
First and foremost, Miguel’s return to Hamilton on Tuesday night was flipping fantastic. More on that in the post. But also, the Richard Rodgers Theater, where Hamilton plays in New York, and the Cervantes family go way back. Everywhere I looked the ghosts of our former lives were playing out scenes of their own. So. Many. Memories. How do we reconcile those memories with the very different people we are now? We have to figure it out as we go because the show goes on whether we ready for it or not.
As I reemerge from social hibernation I am taking the tactic of dipping my toe into the pool to check the water before wading in. From social media, to blogging to events, I am giving myself permission to ease my way back in and only doing what feels right. Also, if something feels right one day and not the next, then that’s ok too. So, this week there is a blog - will there be one next week? Who the heck knows but today writing felt right.
I am thrilled to share that July’s guest blog post has been penned by Miguel. I’ve certainly written enough about him on this blog so its only fair that you hear from him directly. Thanks, babe, for sharing our life through your eyes…
More than anything in this world, I am grateful for an incredible partner with whom I can share this life journey. For if we are placed on this Earth with a purpose, there is no doubt in my mind that Miguel’s purpose is to be a father and he exceeds at fulfilling it everyday. So, in celebration of Father’s Day, this seems like the perfect opportunity to dish on Miguel and why he really is as amazing as you think he is.
After the overwhelming response to last week’s post I realized a follow up was needed so this week I start there. But life doesn’t stop while we’re discussing socially charged issues and this week it was announced that Hamilton would be closing up shop in Chicago. Despite, in spite or because of Adelaide’s challenges our time in Chicago has been pretty incredible. Do we stay? Do we go? Time will tell but if you’ve learned anything about us you know we’ve got this.
This week marks our two year anniversary in Chicago. I wrote a whole post about the three months leading up to that move and couldn’t come up with a point, other than I believe it would make an excellent Oscar-nominated vehicle for the likes of the next Julia Roberts/Sandra Bullock. Screenwriters, feel free to hit me up once I’ve written the book.
