My New Muses: Mother Load's Amy Wilson and Emma's mom Lauren Bowley

When friend of mine and Charlotte Observer columnist, Tracy Curtis, sent me a cryptic email indicating that the Blumenthal Theater might contact me about participating as a panelist during some post-show discussions for Mother Load, I was intrigued but juggling too many things at the time to give it much thought (nothing new there). Shortly thereafter, Blumenthal offered me 2 tickets to a performance at their new intimate venue, the Stage Door Theater.

One thing led to another and I received a call asking if I'd be a panelist the evening I was attending the show. "Sure," I said. I had little idea what to expect other than I would be talking about modern motherhood, whatever that meant. Tracy Curtis then sent me an email on Thursday saying Amy Wilson was hilarious and to wear pants since I might find myself sitting on a Thomas the Train table that was knee level with the audience. Hmmm....

Of course, I hadn't had my hair cut or colored for several months, so I managed to schedule a last minute salon visit Friday morning. Then it hit me. What was I going to wear? It's that awkward time of year when summer clothes are inappropriate but the cold weather hasn't fully set in. Plus, my closet staple is a Target t-shirt and a cotton skirt (remember Tracy’s suggestion to wear pants?). After Carlos saw me in a complete state of panic, he offered to pick up both kids from school, so I could go shopping. Huh? What was up with my husband and how exactly does one go shopping? I don't recall the last time I walked into a mall by myself. My idea of shopping involves wiggly kids, a red cart, and $8.99 t-shirts. Now trained to get in and out of a store within 45 minutes, I went to the mall, picked out an outfit and was heading back home in under an hour.

After heating up some chicken tenders for the kids and extricating myself from their greasy grips, I headed out the door in my new duds wondering what the night would entail. Carlos and I dropped by the theater early to pick up our tickets then meandered over to Blue to have some appetizers and a glass of wine. While there, a mom came up to me and said, "You're the one who sent me that Spanish CD." I knew I recognized this mom's face but couldn't quite place her. As it turns out, both our girls go to the same preschool, and I had sent her daughter Emma Bowley a Professor Pocket CD when I had read in a school bulletin that Emma was battling Leukemia. Any jitters I was feeling about the evening quickly evaporated as I listened to Emma's mom Lauren tell me their story.

Emma

If you read my post on optimism, then you should know that Lauren epitomizes that word in so many ways. Here's a mom with a very sick child, who is not only a single parent but is also worried about the fact that her COBRA insurance is running out. Amidst this crisis, Lauren radiates warmth and a positive attitude. Her energy is contagious, and you immediately wonder where she derives her strength. Having watched my own mom battle cancer, undergo surgeries, chemo and radiation, I can only imagine the emotional journey Lauren is navigating day by day. Obviously, I would like to do something more for Lauren, Emma and her older brother Sam. At the very least, I am going to buy her 2 tickets to go see Amy Wilson's Mother Load because it's heart-warming, hysterically funny and will give Lauren some much needed laughter.

So now for my other muse...

Amy Wilson is the mother of 3 (ages 5, 4 and 11 mos.). Not only did she write the one-woman play Mother Load, but she's starring in several of the Charlotte opening shows too. How does a sleep-deprived, working mom remember all her lines when I'm hard pressed to remember why I am heading upstairs?

Me, Mother Load's Amy Wilson, and moderator Molly Carroll AM 1220 WDYT

I don’t think there’s a mom our there with little kids who won’t relate to Mother Load. It touches upon just about every topic under the sun that we spend endless hours wrestling over. Amy’s sense of humor about the ridiculous of it all helps us to step back (at least for a few hours), and think about how neurotic and guilt-ridden we’ve become over every single aspect of our children’s lives, from what they eat to how many extracurricular activities they do.

What’s even more impressive to me is that not only has Amy written this play, but she’s brave enough to claim it as her own by telling her story over and over again in front of a live audience. Although Amy will not be performing every show during Mother Load’s 4- week run here in Charlotte, I can guarantee you will get to know her just by seeing her play.

So tonight, instead of cleaning up my kitchen table (pictured at the top of this post), know that I’ll be hugging my children, celebrating how good we’ve got it and drinking a glass of vino in honor of all you moms out there.

Interested in Charlotte show times for Mother Load? Click here.