Child-Like Wonder

Hey Neighbor!

Welcome back to THE NEIGHBORHOOD!  This week’s story is about holding on to one’s child-like wonder.  

I like to think that I have been put on this Earth for a reason.  There’s a purpose. 

Why else would God put a curly haired girl in the arms of her incredible parents 36 years ago in Philadelphia? 

Things happen for a reason.  

As a baby, I take a while to actually talk and walk, but boy don’t you know that I am already singing and dancing?  Already saying to my father, “How do you do?” 

Already laughing. 

I sit in preschool and I am supposed to be concentrating on speech therapy, but there’s a music class down the hall!  The teacher calls my mom. 

“Mrs Ostick, we need to change Jackie’s therapy time because she is getting distracted by the music class next door.” 

Let me tell you,

NOTHING HAS CHANGED. 

Come into my work place when Whitney or Britney or Frozen is playing and I am singing along, not focusing on the lovely person in front of me just trying to get a cookie and leave. 

Sorry, ma’am, my art is calling.  I’ll be right with you.  

I end up on my first stage at 3.  My parents are in this show at my dad’s school and they want to put kids in a number.  Done and done.  Jackie is in!  And I am transported to HEAVEN. 

The lights, the costumes, the makeup, the music. 

It’s a perfect blend of what makes me me. 

What makes me tick. 

What makes me happiest. 

The day that I can walk back on a stage after the shutdown will be extraordinary and overwhelming.  I’ll be home.  

I am 11 and can finally join Upper Darby Summer Stage!  I have grown up going to the theatre every week with my family to see these one hour children’s musicals and I’m just itching to get up there myself.  Now I’m old enough and get to join the apprentice program where I take classes!  Acting, singing, dancing and storytelling. 

This fabulous woman, Vicki Town, teaches storytelling. 

I am captivated by the work. 

Cut to college and I am telling stories as a tour guide. 

Cut a few more years and I am giving ghost tours in Cape May, NJ. 

During Covid-19 quarantine, I take a “Tell Your Story” class and I am just as captivated as I was at 11. Something unlocks inside of me and I am writing and sharing my stories.  The 11 year old in me is proud and grateful that I have the courage to listen to that voice and follow my heart. 

Why is it, that we tuck some of those magical things that we loved as kids and put them away? 

Why don’t we continue piano lessons? 

Why don’t we make up dances in our living rooms to current pop hits?  Or pretend that we are Elphaba flying at the end of Act 1?  Why don’t we pretend that we are magicians and attempt to pull a rabbit out of a hat? 

I think it’s fear.  Fear that it’s not cool.  Fear that it won’t make us money.  Fear that people will think it’s weird. 

Well, those weird things bring me more joy than anything else in this world.  I will keep listening to 11 year old me and keep singing and dancing and telling stories.  It’s why God put me here, I know it.  I just know it. 

Okay, Neighbor, it’s your turn.  What is something that you loved as a kid that you would like to do again?  What have you kept doing?  

I look forward to hearing your stories.  

I’ve Got You in My Pocket,

Jackie Ostick 

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