Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Who's Going To Write Your Story? #SOL17

I had a road trip today to my hometown, and I decided to download the Hamilton (original cast) soundtrack.  Amazing is simply not a strong enough word for it!  I was escorted back to a time of unrest and struggle.  I got to know some people who I was only acquainted with by name.

One of the parts that really reached out to me was Hamilton's struggle and urgency to tell his story.  There were several times through the score where Lin Manuel pinned the question "Why do you write like you are running out of time?"  In the past, I have studied Alexander Hamilton, but I never really let the fact that he was so powerful with his written words really settle into my understanding of him.

This score and the casts' wonderful performance rushed over me as I drove.  Some specific words were haunting and left me completely aware that these thoughts deserve my time.  

Who lives?

Who dies?

Who tells your story?

When you are gone, who remembers your name?

Who keeps your flame?

So, as I continue to wrestle with this, I feel the pull to write like I am running out of time.  Who else would share my story?

7 comments:

  1. I haven't yet heard the soundtrack but keep hearing it is amazing. And reading the book (and seeing the musical) are on my list. I love your list of questions and think they tie so well to Amy Krouse Rosenthal... since she died yesterday I've been thinking a lot about questions much like the ones you wrote above.

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    1. Yes, I was so sad to hear of her death. Her celebration of the ordinary moments delights my heart!

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  2. Powerful questions. Amy Krouse Rosenthal's death this week has reminded me that we get no guarantees in life. I feel like writing is one way to be immortal. I hope my writing will mean something to my children .

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    1. I hope I am able to tell my nieces and nephews my story. I also have a desire to keep my grandparents' and mom's story alive by writing it down to keep it close!

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  3. Thanks to the show and soundtrack, my young daughters know a lot about Alexander Hamilton now. Your questions are so important, and it is funny you wrote about them and I read your words today-- these questions are similar to wonderings I've been feeling lately. Thank you for a wonderful post.
    -Lanny

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  4. Thanks to the show and soundtrack, my young daughters know a lot about Alexander Hamilton now. Your questions are so important, and it is funny you wrote about them and I read your words today-- these questions are similar to wonderings I've been feeling lately. Thank you for a wonderful post.
    -Lanny

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  5. WE are in charge of sharing our stories. The reference to Hamilton makes the case in a way so many more people can relate to. (I haven't seen the show yet, but recently bought the soundtrack. It's incredible!)

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