It all goes back to Annie

A little while ago, the radio in my car stopped working. It is an issue that is probably fixable, we just have not gotten around to addressing it. Although the lack of music is sometimes frustrating, I have come to appreciate the silence of my commute as one (I guess two, technically) of the most reflective times of my day.

Sometimes I create my own music by singing. This is either to pass the time or because it is the closest thing to screaming (which is often what I feel like doing at the end of the day). And sometimes I just think. This evening's drive was a little bit of both.

I wish I could tell you why "Tomorrow" from Annie popped into my head tonight. I'm sure there was some thought process that led up to it, but at the moment, I couldn't tell you. For those of you who did not know me at the age of eight, those who did can attest to my obsession with the musical. I knew every word to every song and sang them night and day (just ask my sister). I had the VHS and cassette tapes of both the movie and broadway productions of the show.  For my first skating program, I wore a red dress and skated to "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile." In fifth grade I was in a community theater production and played one of the orphans.

On a separate note, some years ago, I discerned that I wanted to be a foster parent and/or adopt, in addition to having my own biological children. This was partly inspired by the book "A Child Called It" that I read for a psychology project in high school, but outside of that, this desire of mine goes without logical explanation. I am not adopted. I do not have any friends or family members who are adopted. I have never been close to someone who is an orphan or a foster parent. So where did this come from?

As I belted out "when you're stuck in a day that's grey and lonely..." I stopped and thought to myself "Of course I want to adopt. It is because of Annie". This may seem like a trivial connection or a coincidence, but I don't think it is. Because as I continued driving, it all began to make sense- not only why I wanted to adopt, but also why I feel called to service work. Annie introduced me to the struggles of the marginalized of our society, their mistreatment, their hopes, their humanity. I saw the injustices imposed on the vulnerable (Ms. Hannigan), as well as the individual's strength to persevere (Annie) and the ability of those in a place of privilege to make a difference (Daddy Warbucks).

There were many people who were surprised (and a few that were even upset) by my choice to "abandon" my musical training and spend a year with Americorps. What I figured out today is that I am not stepping away from music at all, but moving forward on the path that it set me. Annie introduced me to social injustice and made me want to do something about it. The music inspired me to serve.