Day 14: Normal Little Wars
I went to a play called “Little Wars,” written by Steven Carl McCasland. I am not a theater reviewer, nor is this an attempted play review. I am an audience member who is filled with gratitude that people can be honest enough to write, produce, direct, act, and convey the following with such sincerity that it left tears on my cheek and lungs without air.
These lines were beautifully and expertly delivered by actor, Candace Barrett Birk:
I have often wondered what it would be like to be “normal”. I have questioned my sanity and searched for my “normalness” and I have stood in the yard with my hands clenched in fists yelling into the sky because even though I’m not sure there is a man in the sky, even though I’m not sure there is a God or a Higher Power or a Holy Spirit and even though I have questions, so many questions, who doesn’t have questions, I have stood in the yard with my hands clenched in fists yelling into the sky and asking why I was not “normal”!
But I have also often wondered, oh, I have wondered… if “normal” even exists…
and there I was in all my ugliness in all my rage in all my not normalness and I was looking at the sky when I should’ve been looking at myself.
This is a time that passes but it takes time like a stone in your kidney like a rock in your chest. In your heart. But when it passes when the time passes and you finally realize, it is oh so very normal oh so very quiet oh so very Yes. Yes. Yes.
(excerpts taken from the script)
I do believe there is a God. But God, I don’t believe there is a normal. And if there is, God, I thank you for not asking me to be it.
Little Wars is produced by Prime Productions, directed by Shelli Place, and is currently playing at Mixed Blood Theatre