Here's to Trying

"Every, Every Minute" is a line from "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder. I had the honor of performing in this play at the UW my senior year and the experience of being in it, the lines I got to live every night, the soul of that show - it has haunted me ever since. In a good way.

Photo by Frank Rosenstein (SoD Drama)

In case you aren't familiar, there is a famous monologue at the end of the play delivered by Emily, the protagonist. Only after Emily dies can she see all of the wonderful details that made up her life and before she departs to the After, she takes one last look and says goodbye.

Photo by Joel Shapiro (UW Daily)

"Goodbye , world. Goodbye, Grover's Corners...Mama and Papa. Goodbye to clocks ticking...and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you are too wonderful for anybody to realize you. [To Stage Manager] Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it - every, every minute?"

Wilder's answer is that, no, you can't of course ever appreciate it all. But a few moments every now and then to stop and try wouldn't hurt either.