Gemotions

The school play program lay open in front of me, listing the names of the cast and crew. My daughter, Maya, was playing a tree. I scanned the page, my eyes lingering on the director's name: Mr. Sterling. The same Mr. Sterling who'd guided me through my own disastrous attempts at performing Shakespeare. A sensation of almost giddy disbelief swirled inside me.

I decided to volunteer for set design, just for an excuse to spend time in the rehearsal space. The stage, the scent of paint, the stage lights – it all transported me. Watching Mr. Sterling direct the children, I felt a deep, almost indescribable emotion.

The way he spoke, the way he gestured – it was all so familiar, so comforting. It was a tangible link to my own past, to the awkward teenager who had dreamed of being an actress. I was overwhelmed. It felt like walking through a dream.