I am not one of those lucky few who have had the privilege to see Hamilton in person.
One of our other contributors, Jessica, has been to it, and I’m doing all I can not to ooze with jealousy. Oozing is just not professional. But here are her husband and son, just looking casual at the most popular SOLD-OUT show in America.
Not jealous, not jealous, not jealous.
Okay. I’m super jealous.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, award-winning Broadway artist Lin-Manuel Miranda was on vacation a few years ago, reading Hamilton by Ron Chernow, and immediately started wondering if a play had been done. He saw so much in the life of Alexander Hamilton that related to the stories of so many hip-hop artists. He performed an early version of the introductory song at the White House Evening of Poetry on May 12, 2009. Hamilton opened in February of 2015 and has consistently been sold out, winning 11 Tonys, a Grammy, and a Pulitzer Prize.
It’s almost impossible not to enjoy the hip-hop style of many of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pieces or to fall in love with the historical characters portrayed. As a member of a multiracial family, I love the diversity of the casting. I was a music major in college and then became a homeschooler, so the combination of education and music just thrills my nerdy little soul. While there is some mature content (America’s first highly publicized sex scandal) and some verbiage that I’d rather my kids not learn at this point, it has still inspired me in so many ways.
How Listening to Hamilton Made Me a Better Mom
There are just some days when I feel like I’m doing a terrible job as a mom. I just can’t get it together. The very first time I listened to Hamilton, I was sucked into the story. The second time I listened to it, I was invigorated with the thought that I can do so much better. And that I will do so much better. There is such a sense of empowerment and urgency in the music.
A message from the King….
Okay, a little honest levity… let’s just say that it’s more than once a day I find myself humming this tune after an interaction with my children. Of course, it’s not the most motherly thing in the world to belt out the lyrics “And when push comes to shove, I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love…” But, it keeps me in a good humor. And if Mama can keep a sense of humor about her, there are four children in this house that will be much better off.
History has its eyes on you…
Hamilton is obsessed with his story, his legacy. Throughout the play, we are reminded that we have no control of who lives, who dies, and who tells our stories. The questions that haunt me after this song are: “What are you building today with your life, with your actions that will be worthy of note when your children and grandchildren reflect on your life? How are you bettering the world around you? Are you making your words and actions count?”
Appearances and circumstances don’t dictate end results.
I think what I loved best about Hamilton was that when he failed, he failed big. He was all in. He was unconventional. Alexander Hamilton certainly didn’t come from squeaky clean circumstances. He did things differently than other Revolutionaries. He certainly made his share of mistakes and had his share of character flaws, but he was committed to his ideas and to owning up to his mistakes. While I may not be stealing cannons or writing documents to support the Constitution of the United States, I still come up against criticism for some of the choices I make as a mom. But my end results aren’t dictated by where I am. I may look different than you. That’s fine. But I’ll remain committed to my ideas and goals, because a committed mom is better than a wishy-washy (Aaron Burr-like) one.
The power of words.
Alexander writes like he’s “running out of time.” He knows the power of words. Whenever he finds himself in trouble, he writes himself out of his trouble (and sometimes into some more trouble.) He knows that words are mighty and can have massive consequences, both good and bad. I saw threads of this throughout the entire score. He is able to quickly unify Hercules Mulligan, Marquis de LaFayette, and John Laurens with praise and friendship. He knew the inevitable consequences of his words when he endorsed Jefferson over Burr. I also saw George Washington speak value and life into Hamilton when he says that Alexander has greatness in him.
As moms, we have power. Our words can boost up our children to greatness. If we speak life into our kids, if we speak a vision over their lives and tell them repeatedly that they have greatness in them, who knows where they will end up? Our kids are fantastic. Yours are. Mine are too. It is our responsibility to use our words to build them up. Let’s speak wisely and with kindness both to our children and to each other online. Set a good example in online conversation so that your children can see that what they say and write is powerful.
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I am not throwing away my shot.
Alexander Hamilton does everything he can to make the American Revolution successful and then works feverishly on providing a successful financial foundation for his country. Hamilton’s passion for his one life to live and his “survival at all odds” mentality inspired me as a mom. I only have one shot in life, so I need to come at it with my guns blazing, so to speak. My kids need my best, and I can’t give that to them if I’m apathetic about my ideals and about how I train them. I will fight to be a healthy example of not just motherhood but personhood. I will take care of my body. I will teach financial responsibility. I will model respect and kindness to all those around me. And I will teach them that they can overcome humongous obstacles.
So moms, today as you go about your tasks, whether it be carpooling or laundry or analyzing spreadsheets, whatever you do, it’s time to rise up. It’s time to rise up and not throw away your chance at this life. You have what it takes.
