Days of Plenty

Shortly after being cast in our show, one of our Marmees, Wanda, was diagnosed with a form of cancer called  Hodgkins Lymphoma. She talked it over with her husband, doctors, production team, and double, and everyone was very supportive of her continuing with the play. Wanda missed many rehearsals while recovering from chemotherapy and sat in the audience to watch her double when she was well enough to come but didn't have the strength to practice. 

Marmee and her girls

We showered Wanda with prayers and support during rehearsals and performances. It was a huge miracle that she didn't have to rely on her double and was able to perform during all of her scheduled shows! Wanda was such a sweet, sympathetic, and strong Marmee.

I am grateful that I chose to watch her cast on their closing night. I was able to bask in how wonderful the show was, and finally understand why everyone told me the play had made them cry the "ugly cry." (I sure am glad it was dark and no one could see my own ugly crying!)

But the moment that put me over the edge was watching and hearing Wanda sing her power ballad "Days of Plenty." It's a beautiful and meaningful song in any circumstance, but when I thought of Wanda's particular experience, my emotions filled my heart and spilled out my eyes. 

MARMEE:
Don’t make so much of me Jo… (spoken)

I never dreamed of this sorrow,
I never thought I’d have reason to lament,
I hoped I’d never know heartbreak,
How I wish I could change the way things went!
I wanted nothing but goodness,
I wanted reason to prevail,
Not this bare emptyness.
I wanted Days of Plenty.

But I refused to feel tragic,
I am aching for more than pain and grief.
There has got to be meaning,
Most of all when a life has been so brief.
I have got to learn something,
How can I give her any less?
I want life to go on.
I want Days of Plenty

You have to Believe,
There is reason for Hope.
You have to Believe
That the answers will come.
You can’t let this defeat you.
I won’t less this defeat you.
You must fight to keep her there,
Within you!

So Believe that she matters!
And Believe that she always will!
She will always be with you!
She’ll be part of the days you’ve yet to fill!
She will live in your bounty!
She will live as you carry on your life!

So carry on,
Full of Hope,
She’ll be there,

For all your Days of Plenty

I hope that one day I can be as inspiring as she is to me, and that I could follow her example when faced with a similar crisis. I have no doubt that she will beat this illness and become stronger than ever. I cannot wait to see and work with her again someday.

Director Leslie, sandwiched between our two brilliant Marmees!