A blog post dedicated to my Grandma and Nana
“The God of Suddenlies”
Being a church kid (dang near a PK), you hear church language all the time. All my life, I’ve heard sayings, along with other Christianese, like, “I don’t look like what I’ve been through.” And while I may have wrestled with acknowledging these phrases as more than just clichés shared by our seasoned saints, I’ve recently been reminded of a phrase my grandmother used to say:
“Just keep living!”
In the past four months, my life shifted in a new direction. I found myself the Director of a summer program in New York City, receiving funding from my home state to create a new work, and entering a new season of self-focus (aka single).
“God knows exactly where you’re going to be.”
I remember at the top of 2026, I had questions about what was next for me and where I should be. By March, I knew I was ready to take a break from the stage to have more security and stability. What is not talked about enough is the life of an artist. Yes, your gift will make room for you. Yes, you’ll get to do what you love every day. But what is often left unsaid is the cost. (That’s a whole ‘nother conversation for another day.) But you pay with your body. You pay with your time, or lack thereof. You pay by missing the milestones of the people you love, being left out, and ultimately having to hustle. And for most of us, the hustle is what ignites us. But let’s just say after a Nutcracker season and a Valentine’s Day/Black History Month performance season… Mama was tyad!
“It’s not what you know, but who you know.”
So I began tapping into my network. I am blessed to be connected to and mentored by some individuals who I truly look up to in the industry. I was looking for an arts administration job. Next thing I know, I am the Director of one of the best free dance camps in my favorite city.
Suddenly.
“Your past always prepares you for your future.”
My final performance with the ballet company was May 1st. My first day in my new role was May 4th. I knew the job would be hard, but I felt fully and completely prepared. I literally pulled from everything I have ever done to be successful.
My time in high school, where I was business-focused, prepared me for my final speech. All we ever did was presentations. That class alone prepared me for college. In college, I was exposed to the program I would go on to direct six years later. I worked almost every job and was able to watch the leadership of the program director there. Working at Subaru taught me how to positively share bad news. LensCrafters taught me the gift of gab because I had no business being anyone’s eyecare tech. Even my social and romantic relationships have taught me something. I mean, the list goes on and on. I always knew everything I had been through was preparing me for what was next, but to actually experience it in real time?
Wow.
What makes this an even more full-circle moment is that in my last post, I wrote about hope vs. faith and how I was struggling with joy and expectation. Could it be that a shift in my perspective changed my outcome?
Well, as we step into the final quarter of the year, go talk to your grandma. And if you don’t have one, I’m sure there’s one at a local church who would love to adopt you. I’m sure she has a seasoned-saint proverb for you to decipher.
Listen to the church mothers. And believe them.
With Love,
LA
What I am Reading: Awaken The Giant Within by Tony Robbins
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
