I am sad to admit that I really dragged my feet about performing in our drag show, “Fundraising is a Drag”, over this past weekend. I am worn out from balancing work with the last several weeks of back to back shows. The money goes to a great cause, funding our Summer Series for this year. The talent in the show was fantastic, but my heart wasn’t in it. After completing the last 2 weekends of When I Knew and How it Saved Me, and the tremendous impact that the show had on it’s audience, it is hard to imagine how a “silly” drag show could make much of a comparison. Until last night….
I performed My Immortal, by Evanescence. I love the song. Even though I love the words and love singing it, I didn’t think it really fit into the show. I didn’t have an elaborate drag costume, just a black pleather skirt and a black shirt, and I certainly didn’t feel fancy. As I was singing the song I noticed a couple in the front row who started uncontrollably crying. I continued singing, and tried to sing it for them. As I did this I noticed that the words started to take a new meaning. After the show, both people hugged me and thanked me for singing this song.
Later last night, they emailed the director and told him that last year their 16 year old son had committed suicide, and that Mother’s Day was a very difficult day for them. Music amazes me. It is such a wonderful gift to be able to share it with others. I hope to remember this the next time I’m feeling lazy…and this song will hold a new meaning for me each time I get to sing it.
