Listen to Your Mother: A Look Back in Photos

It hardly seems like Metro Detroit’s first Listen to Your Mother was only a week ago. 

I have so many feelings that I am still processing and still wrapping my mind around the magnitude of this experience.  I mean, it’s not everyday you go up in front of a live audience to talk about one of the most difficult moments of your life.

So even though I’m still working through some emotional stuff, I wanted to share something about this experience.

Here are some of images from that day that the photographer, Jarrad Henderson took. You know, when you take a photo and it doesn't match up to the feeling you experienced in that moment?  This was totally not the case.  Jarred is an amazing photographer, and I felt he really captured the essence of the experience.  Thank you, Jarred, for your beautiful images. 

Metro Detroit’s Listen to Your Mother show happened here at St. Andrew’s Hall.  Eminem has performed here.  So have the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Never in a million years would I have ever thought that I would have performed on the same stage as awesome talent like that!

And can you believe that there was a line to get in?!  My family was second in line here.  They don’t mess around when it comes to making sure they get good seats.

Here is where we got to hang out before the show.  What a great space!

One of the best things that have come out of the show is this sense of belonging, of being on the team.  Bonds have been formed.  I am fortunate to have met not only amazingly talented women, but also genuinely kind people.

This photo cracks me up.  Yes, I was concerned about my eye makeup.  In retrospect, I am not sure why since I was teary eyed for most of the day.

I was totally surprised by this beautiful necklace that producers gave us each created by Sara Russell of Sara Russell Designs.  I was just happy to be there. And now I have this awesome piece of jewelry to always remind me of that day.

An inspiring champagne toast right before going on stage.  Here are the producers, Angela Youngblood, Jessica Watson, and Angela Amman, along with Reshounn Foster and Ber-Henda Williams. 

And here we are with Dr. Earlexia Norwood from one of our sponsors, Henry Ford Health System.  

Here I am on stage.  Me on stage.  That is crazy!

I am glad I could not see my family because I would not have been able to be in the moment.  So I am grateful that Jarrad took this photo of my husband, my dad, and my mom watching the show.

Ta-da!  We did it!

Holy $hit!  Can you see all of those people there!  Even the balcony was packed! 

Aww, look at that good-looking group!  Here are some of my family members that were there to support me.  It meant so much to me to have friends and family there.

And to these lovely ladies, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for thinking I was good enough to be on the team.  Thank you for helping me see myself in a different light.  Thank you for creating a positive environment to share our souls. Thank you.

 If you like Jarrad's amazing photos (and honestly, how could you not like them?!), be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram.  Also be sure to learn more about his project Beyond This Place which examines the Black Greek Letter Organizations and how they have helped shape American culture.

Thoughts Before Listen To Your Mother Show

 This is it.  Two more days until show time.

Two! More! Days!

I am so excited to be a part of Detroit’s first cast of Listen to Your Mother.  I have said this many times, but it has been a dream of mine to be in a Listen to Your Mother Show ever since I heard about it at BlogHer.  It is surreal to know it will be coming true in just a few short days.

As much as I am excited, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.

This confuses some people.  “Erin,” they say, “but you have been on TV with Live in the D.  You have spoken at conferences and in front of classrooms filled with students.  What do you have to be nervous about?”

All of this is 100% true.  This year I have gained a lot of experience talking in front of groups.  

I’ve chitchatted about whether alcohol should be permitted at high school prom parties and whether schools should hand out condoms.

I have talked about the importance of using images when building your personal brand at the Rochester Writers' Conference.

And believe me, I was nervous about all of that, too.

But there is something inherently different about sharing a personal story that is about a raw, emotional time in my life that I kept pretty private.  There are a few more emotions bubbling up rather than just hoping I don’t say the “F” word on TV.

Maybe you are wondering why I would choose to talk about such a sensitive issue. 

Sometimes I wonder that, too, and all I can say is that it just kind of poured out of me.  The words could not stay in any longer.  They had to come out.

When I start to get really nervous, I remember the look of compassion, not judgment, in the producers’ eyes.  I remember feeling supported by the other cast mates at the readings.

And maybe, just maybe, my story will help someone else.

If you are coming, please consider helping our sponsor, Alternative for Girls, by donating these items:

bottles
sippy cups
onesies
receiving blankets
infant/toddler socks
pacifiers

 I hope to see you at the show.  There are tickets still available (but not too many since we are almost sold out)!