I recently watched a TV show where a stage director, due to health reasons, had to step aside and let someone else take over the play she had been working on. She quietly slipped into the theater after the lights went down, watching the debut performance of her life’s work—now unfolding without her.
It struck me how much that mirrors the life of a mother.
For years, we are center stage—not only directing the show but also handling costumes, makeup, lines, and everything it takes to keep things running. The show goes on and on, until one day, the curtain falls for the last time.
This moment often comes without warning. Suddenly, we find ourselves sitting in an empty auditorium, listening to echoes of voices that once filled our days.
The Intermission
At this point, there’s a long intermission. We still have a role to play, but it’s different now. We’re needed, but we no longer direct everything. We’re still part of the play, yet we don’t always see what’s happening behind the curtain. Deep in our hearts, we know a second act is coming.
As we age, so do our children. Some get married, some have babies, and with that first grandchild, a new role begins—a wonderful, yet completely different role.
Moving to the Audience
Now, we’re part of the audience. We still get called on stage from time to time, but we no longer run the show—and that’s exactly how it should be. A play can’t have two directors.
Watching from the front row, we see an encore of our own first act. The players have changed, but many of the scenes remain familiar. Not all, but enough to make us smile.
We now have the privilege of simply enjoying the show. No longer consumed by the stress of making sure every line is perfect or every costume is in place, we can finally sit back, breathe, and take it all in.
