June 2024 · 7 minute read

81-Year-Old Lady Performing On Stage | Source: Flickr/John Edwards 2008 (CC BY-SA 2.0)

An 81-year-old woman who had put her dreams on the back burner for her family's sake fulfills it one day by performing on stage. But that's not where things end, as someone in the crowd takes note of her talent and has a huge offer in mind for her.

First as a wife, then as a mother, and later as a grandmother. For as long as Teressa could remember, she had always lived for others and never for herself. You see, being selfless is not everyone's cup of tea, but for Teressa, that's how she had spent all her life.

When Teressa was a little girl, she had big dreams. Unlike other kids her age who played with dolls, Teressa spent hours and hours in her room reading famous authors' poetry and writings—Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, you name it, and Teressa would recite a poem to you with all her heart.

"I want to be a poet, mommy! And I want to recite my poems on stage!" she'd chirp to her mother, who would smile back and assure her that her dreams would come true one day. But unfortunately, that did not happen.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Teressa's writing and poems were locked in her closet as life kept throwing new responsibilities at her. After her dad died when she was 18, she had to look after her mother. Then after getting married came kids, and then the kids' kids. And somewhere, Teressa's talent, poems, and dream of performing on stage were left far behind.

One Sunday afternoon, Teressa was merrily cooking in the kitchen, humming a song to herself. Her children and grandchildren were visiting her, and though the doctors had advised her not to take stress, she had spent five hours preparing the entire meal for them—spaghetti and meatballs, tacos, salad, and her youngest grandson's favorite apple pie!

"Excuse me, ma'am, can we talk for a minute?" a voice from behind suddenly halted Teressa.

As the doorbell rang, Teressa removed her apron and quickly checked herself in the mirror to remove any flour on her face. Then she opened her door and saw her family on her porch.

"Oh, darling, I am so glad y'all could make it today!" She smiled and hugged everyone as they entered.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

"It smells amazing, mom! I am starving. I bet you made Brian's favorite apple pie. Didn't you?" her daughter, Linda, asked, and Teressa smiled.

"How could I not? He's my little boy!" she said as she hugged Brian. "Gran missed you, honey!"

"I missed you too, Gran. Did you really make the apple pie?"

"I did," she said.

"AND WE'LL HAVE IT WITH ICE CREAM!" they cried in unison, and everyone laughed.

Brian was the youngest in the family and only ten years old. He loved Gran Teressa and looked forward to visiting her as he knew she'd spoil him with delicious food.

After devouring his favorite dessert after lunch that day, Brian sat with Teressa looking at their family albums.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

"Can you bring me the album from my closet, honey?" she asked as they finished the first one, and Brian hurried to his Gran's closet.

While searching for the album, Brian discovered a stack of papers tucked behind her clothes and began reading them.

"Gran!" he came running to her. "Are these yours? Do you write poems?" he asked.

"Oh," Teressa hid the sheets nervously in the album. "Well, sometimes, honey. I wanted to read them on stage one day, but I never had the opportunity. You see, I had two wonderful sons, then plenty of darling grandchildren, and I just got busy. Anyway, forget about that. Let's go through the pictures."

But Brian didn't forget about his Gran's poems. One week later, he visited her from school with an envelope, and as Teressa read the letter inside, her eyes were filled with tears.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

"I signed you up for the talent show, Gran!" he exclaimed. "You can finally go on the stage and read your poems!"

"Oh, you did not," said Teressa in tears. "Honey, I am too old for this. I will get nervous. I don't want to do this!"

"Come on, Gran! You can. You are a rockstar. Remember when I told mom I wanted to be Superman? I know that was stupid, and nobody believed in me, but you did! Come on, Gran! You have to do it! Please! Please! Gran! Gran! Gran!"

In the end, Teressa had to agree. How could she not? She would never say no to her little grandson. Her kids also encouraged her. "Mom, please, for Brian's sake," they said, motivating her.

And so, on the day of the talent show, Teressa took to the stage and began reciting her poems. She was nervous, and her hands trembled as she stood in front of the public, reciting her writings, but her little grandson in the audience was her motivation.

He had kissed her on the cheek before her performance and wished her the best. Now, he was in the crowd with his parents and other family members, looking at her proudly and smiling, which gave Teressa confidence as she recited a humorous poem about a small town of pigs.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Flickr/John Edwards 2008 (CC BY-SA 2.0)

"...Whose pigs are those?

I believe I know.

They live in the dirty town of Pigzenia,

They're evil, ugly, and all they eat is black snow…"

As Teressa finished her poem, the kids in the crowd burst out laughing. Everyone in the hall gave her a standing ovation, and Teressa found it hard to believe that her writings were appreciated. She had never received such recognition.

"You rocked, Gran!" Brian complimented her as they were exiting the hall. "I bet everyone loved your poems!"

Suddenly, a voice from behind halted Teressa. "Excuse me, ma'am, can we talk for a minute?" it asked.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Soon after, a man approached Teressa and extended his hand for a shake. "Hello, my name is Peter, and I work as a reporter for the Daily Zeitgeist. I'm a journalist," he said.

"A journalist? What would you want to talk to me about?" asked Teressa, confused.

He smiled. "I would like to write an article about you. My daughter studies here, so I happened to get a chance to see you. You were brilliant. I feel like you should give your writings a try for publication. Would you mind if I interviewed you?"

Teressa looked back at her family in shock and tears. "Oh dear, interview? Me?"

"Yes," he added. "Your writings and you deserve the recognition."

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

After the interview, Teressa was offered a permanent column in the local newspaper and her quirky, wickedly crafted poems, often about the town residents and animals, were soon favorites among the locals and little children.

Teressa was stunned, and she couldn't believe her dreams were coming true at the age of 81. But the best part of it all was her family, who encouraged her. They gave their full support to her, and not even once did Teressa regret sacrificing her dreams for them because she had raised them well. She was proud of that sacrifice and upbringing.

Today, Teressa is in a happy place, penning her poems with all her heart. Like her, many daughters, wives, mothers, and grandmothers have left their dreams behind for their family's sake. But remember, there's no defined age to fulfill your dreams. You can start today. Teressa is a brilliant example of that.

What can we learn from this story?

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about an 81-year-old woman who doesn't sleep a wink sewing a blanket for a blind man, who turns out to be her late son's carbon copy.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone's life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.

ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jmtwbmljZ3qtrcOyZHFpXZvCrbLIpaOsZZiav26vx6KjnaCfpLFusNGemKZloJq%2Fb7TTpqM%3D