Everwhere is walking distance if you have the time

[ClingingToHope]

That was a hurdle to cross. Last of D13's plays for this theater production. I did not go to the lobby though for intermission. I just stayed in my seat this time.

She did very well. She's still basically a bit player, but they gave her more responsibility this year. She's been involved with this theater troup for five years and this is her 13th play. She's skipping the third one this season though because she has a school play to work on and ... I don't think her mother can afford another one right now.

Several of the talented leads are aging out, you are done at 18, so there's going to be a lot of shuffling. The 15, 16-year-old kids are going to move up to leading roles and the 13, 14-year-olds will have more opportunity for supporting roles.

So next year things should really start moving for her.

My hope, no my plan, is to be strong enough by the fall to get back involved in the theater group. I backed off entirely after the breakup because XW is so heavily into it. I just didn't want to be around her.

But today I was just sad because my weakness is keeping me from sharing this stuff with D13. I had tears in my eyes during the whole play. I always sit front row so D13 knows I'm there. She's turning out very well. She's going to be a better person than me.

I did do a good thing today though. Two of the top performers were in their last play. They both go to college in the fall. They've been wonderful to both D13 and D9, even when D9 is at her craziest. They are also the kids of XW's best friend in the production. They are wonderful people, but I've stayed away from anyone who has helped XW during the divorce. I saw them as enablers. So I stopped at the store, bought them a graduation card, wrote them each $25 checks for college (enough to buy a used book) and thanked them for helping my daughters.