Fixing Broken Promises
Hindsight being what it is, I now see the promise for what it was -- another series of meaningless words buried in a mountain of meaningless words.
Some people in our lives do that. I don't think it's intentional. They say things without thinking about the fact that you're taking them seriously. The don't realize they are getting your hopes up. And maybe they really do intend to make good on those promises.
Maybe.
Regardless, many years ago, a family member with the means to make it happen flippantly threw out a promise to take a quick weekend trip to New York City to see a show on Broadway. There was discussion about which show and even the beginning of concrete plans, except they weren't concrete. For whatever reason, the trip never happened.
It's okay, though, because not long after that promise was thrown out, I became an adult. I became an adult who does adult things like declare I AM GOING TO BROADWAY NO MATTER WHAT THE END.
It took me a few years, but on what was probably my 40th or 50th trip to New York City (I used to go there a lot for work when I was a consultant), I finally made it happen. As luck would have it, Alexis was fortunate to be a part of my little scheme because overcompensation. It's my speciality.
The thing about Alexis is that she is very much so lacking in perspective. She's a good kid, sure, but she doesn't know how good she has it. I think it's hard to appreciate having access to things when you've never not had that access, but it's a good problem to have. It's good that she doesn't know what it's like to want something you can't possibly have.
That lack of perspective thing is why I was faaaaaaar more excited about walking a few blocks to see Aladdin on Broadway. Alexis would have been perfectly happy to stand in Times Square and look around, but I was on a mission. Tickets had been acquired and FINALLY! BROADWAY!
Another part of why I was more excited than Alexis was because Aladdin is totally my jam. It's my very favorite of all of the Disney movies and has been since it first was released a quadzillion years ago. Seeing it on Broadway before it ever tours? ZOMG!
A few things about the show, though. Abu, who is absolutely the greatest character Disney has ever created, is not in the Broadway version. I suppose it makes sense that they wouldn't want to have an actual monkey jumping around on stage. Still, I admit to missing his cursing little cranky face.
Another thing about the show is that HOLY WOW IS IT GOOD. I mean, we're talking possibly better than Lion King good. The Genie could just stand on stage and look around, not saying a word, and he would be hilarious. James Monroe Iglehart is absolutely phenomenal.
He's so phenomenal that Little Miss Too Cool for the Room made it about five minutes into the show before she leaned in and whispered, "Mom! This is the best ever."
It might have happened a few years later than I initially expected, but it really was the best ever.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Reader Comments (3)
That is FANTABULOUS!!! Aladdin is my fave as well! My hubby took me to Aladdin on ice when we were first dating a gazillion years ago! I play the soundtrack when I am working on big papers for school now! So glad you had a chance to make the most of a trip with your sweet girl! Way to go mama!!!
makes my heart so happy that you got to experience this with alexis. your inner child and your first born child are a great pair.
ALADDIN!!! Also hello mini you. She looks so much like you in that photo.