A few months ago John and I ordered tickets for a traveling dinner theater.  The Christian Radio Station that broadcasts throughout our area, the Family Life Network, was hosting the musical, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” in a number of venues throughout the region.  We quickly decided that this would be a great early Christmas present for our musical-loving children and ordered tickets for the show being produced 90 minutes west of us.  It wasn’t cheap, but it was an investment in family time.  It came at a good time for us.   There were only two other kids in the audience of about 270 people.   Dinner was served at 6:40PM.  We were so hungry!!!  Tabitha ate every last morsel of her salad despite the fact she hates to eat green food!  Maybe I should serve dinner that late every night.  The food was okay, the show was exceptional.  The cast was so vibrant and the story included a gospel message.  I can’t imagine that anyone in the audience could have left unimpressed with the show.  The kids were delighted.  Tabitha was waggling her arms during the big numbers.  Nigel declared the villain a “big stinker.”  Stewart and Marie kept beaming and laughing.  I am willing to bet that everyone leaving the play last night was EXHAUSTED!  The musical ended at 11:05PM.  That is not a typo.  We rolled into our driveway at 12:38AM.  Hanny slept at Nan’s house.  It was a wonderful night.  ♥ 

I need to add a few more things to this post.

I have never seen the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  I saw a bit of it one night last winter as I was nursing the baby.  The scene I saw on TV last year was repeated word for word in the play last night.   I found myself in tears at the weight of burden that George Bailey felt when he was in despair.  After a lifetime of giving and giving and putting others first he was suddenly in the horrible situation of losing the few precious things he had in his life.  I was so moved by the story.   I hope to find the time to watch the movie.  I can’t imagine it living up to the life MUSICAL story we enjoyed last night, but I do want to see it if I can work it in.