Tom was gone all last week so it was just Devin and I for most of the first part of the week. It allowed me to drop back into the purely sister role, and after a few days Devin declared me “chill” and a “free spirit.” I enjoyed having the chance to get to know Devin a little better, to hear about his hopes, dreams, fears and frustrations. I’m excited to follow him through his mission and know that the next two years are going to be pivotal for him.

We were joined by Trevor, Lauren, and their two boys Bryce and Dallin over the weekend.

Perhaps the highlight of the weekend was going to see “Billy Elliot” at Playhouse Square. It was Devin and Trevor’s first Broadway show.

The show was very moving in several parts. I was particularly touched by the message of how important creative escapes are. Billy was born in a working class coal mining community in Ireland. He’s surrounded by rough, tough, hardened people. He finds a love for ballet by chance and through the help of a local dance teacher eventually leaves his rough community to join the Royal Ballet school. In one scene he goes to the ballet studio/city hall on Christmas day. Due to long term striking amongst the coal miners there is no money and Christmas is particularly sparse. Everyone is depressed. Alone, he finds joy in dancing. He is joined by an “older/dream version” of himself and together they dance a gorgeous pas de deux. I was overcome by emotion as I thought about the many times that I have turned to music to find joy. I cried as I had the impression that singing will be an outlet for me in future years when times get tough or seeming mundane.

I loved how the show demonstrated that love can exist, deeply, even when one is seemingly unable to communicate it. The people of the town had become so hardened, that they resort to speaking nothing but crass harsh-ities to one another. Billy was able to escape such damming behavior by finding an outlet for expression in dance. Moved by his son’s openness the father eventually cracks his hard exterior to openly show his support and love for his son.

While it was difficult for me to hear the amount of vulgarity in the show, it made me grateful that I didn’t grow up in that atmosphere.