Inutil

(Who knows how long this link will survive in the internet world, but here's a link to the song this entry was inspired by)


Useless-
Although there were many songs from “In The Heights” that really affected me, one of them had to be “inutil” (translation… Useless).
At this point in the Musical, the Father character struggles with feeling that he’s failed his daughter. You see, in this story, the daughter character had so much promise… So much going for her… a way to change their family dynamic forever. She was going to a topnotch college, earned most of her way there on scholarships, yet because the family still struggled financially, she had to work 2 jobs to try and pay for her schooling. Unfortunately this was too much on her and thus she failed out of school.

The father’s song talks about how his father worked hard each day just to keep a roof over their heads… and that when he was a little boy, he said to his father he’d do more and actually make it.
His father slapped his face and called him , Inutil…USELESS…

This boy grew to be a strong, smart man and moved away. He actually did make something of himself. Started a business, raised a family, and raised a wonderful daughter… but… even with all these triumphs, his father was right… with his daughter coming home, he failed… Inuti…Useless.

This hit me hard…

It scared me a bit… I don’t want to fail my daughters.

It doesn’t really matter anymore where I make it in my life, all that matters is it if helps to make THEIR dreams come true.

I know one thing, and I hope my girls know this once they are older…

I will not fail you.

I will continue to strive to give you all you need to make your lives and dreams a reality…

I’ll give you the support…
The time...
The education…
The Belief…

And more than anything…
The Love to make anything you truly want, happen…

I will not be Useless…