#Hamilton - "where are you taking me?" "I'm about to change your life." Part

As the NYC skyline appears in the rear view mirror, I have to take a moment and document some reflections on my experience seeing Hamilton the Musical.

Everything is better with good friends

First, I don't know what I did to deserve the friends that I have. In a short 36 hour visit, I laughed, I cried ... tears of joy and of sorrow, with dear friends of 21 years. We made memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. With these ladies, I had the distinct privilege of witnessing the MOST beautiful and brilliant piece of art, in the form of a musical, by the incomparable Lin-Manuel Miranda ... how appropriate that we made this memory together given that it was our mutual love of theatre and performing that brought these girls into my life when we went through workshop, staging and then toured together for 12 months. It felt poetic to be with them for this experience that I had been wanting to have for so many months.

A Love Letter to Hamilton

‪Dear Hamilton,

What can I even say? "There are moments that the words don't reach." You blew up the musical theatre landscape. You tapped into an audience who, before, cared little about theatre or American history.

What they said was true - that you'd "blow us all away." And you did.

In 1998, my American History prof at Mary Washington, Dr. Crawley, walked into the first 20th Century American History class and instead of handing out the syllabus, he placed a large boom box on his desk and hit play. "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel blared, we all jammed, and when the song was over Dr. Crawley said, "and THAT'S what we'll be covering this semester!" I was so pumped because it was MUSIC that kicked off this experience. And, to this day, he is still my favorite prof. Educators all over the world are leaning on you, Hamilton, to get their kids excited about learning! That is something. That is something remarkable.

Hamilton, You don't worry about accurate appearance depictions of the characters ... instead, you reflect what America looks like TODAY. You address issues we still are challenged with TODAY - our government's role in our lives, gun violence, foreign affairs, immigration and the critical reminder that if we build walls we miss out on the next Alexander Hamilton.

Hamilton, you are charitable. You recognize that you've got this unprecedented platform and you are using it for GOOD. I see DAILY testament that you are giving back. You have moved mountains to provide access to Hamilton to young people. You listen when those young people have something to say - whether it is through music or raps or just a message to deliver about their gifts. You share your stage with them both literally and figuratively and, I know, their lives are forever changed because YOU gave them that experience.

For months I've listened to the Hamilton cast recording. I've poured over every word finding commonalities between the story of Hamilton and my immigrant grandparents ... countless lyrics describe the journey that they made to find a better life for their family and, ultimately, for me. I find words in the music that are reminiscent of the journey that I have been on and even the internal struggles I find challenge me every single day.

I revel in this show's ability to educate, entertain, move to tears and remind people ... "you have no control who lives, who dies, who tells your story."

I've heard Lin say he still finds he is haunted by the untimely death of Jonathan Larson. This hits home for me. For 25 years I have gone back to "visit" his art time and time again. NEVER do I hear his lyrics without the reminder that we are not promised tomorrow. I am also reminded that, when we do leave this earth, we take our gifts with us. Best to share them now while we can. Hamilton, you make us think about the mark that we make - the legacy that we leave behind ... our mortality.

Thank you.