The Adventures of a Wild Child

It is very nice to meet you! I always enjoy meeting new and different people. Our differences make the world go 'round! Why does everyone want to fight about our differences, instead of embracing them? I have always tried my best to go with the flow. I also, believe that everyone has a right to their own opinions, likes and dislikes and most of all, their own lives!

My uniqueness began to show VERY early in life! One such time that it showed through most was when my mother entered me into the Little Miss Rutherford County beauty pageant.

I remember practicing the curtsy over and over and over, so that I could be "elegant" in the pageant. But that was all that we practiced. Mom had not been told and didn't know that there would be a talent portion.

I remember being SO nervous on stage and had been told over and over NOT to chew my hair (a bad habit I had when I was nervous). So, I chewed the number card that they had given me instead, which was worse. Mom said she was so embarrassed and tried to get my attention to make me stop. But I was so nervous, I dare not look into the audience! So, I just chewed my card and tried to remember everything mom had taught me and everything they had told me before the pageant, which included the fact that I was expected to have a talent! My five year old brain thought and thought about what in the world I could do for my talent. I couldn't just go out and say that I didn't have one, could I? Well, when the talent portion began, mom was in a panic, because she knew we hadn't practiced anything. She knew me and knew there would probably be something I would try to do, because I had conquered my fear and was actually going through with the pageant. I wasn't going to stop now, because I hoped to win. Well, when they called my name, I walked proudly to the middle of the stage and quietly began to sing "Found a Peanut" HAHAHAHA My mom was horrified!!! As the song went on, I became more confident and louder. As any of you know, that song can go on forever, if you let it. :-) I think I was going in to the 4th verse when the Emcee decided it had to stop and he walked out and began to talk and I continued to try to sing over him, so he slowly nudged me offstage. I was so proud of myself and looked around at everyone looking at me like I had an extra head or something. The lady asked me, "Did you and your mommy practice all of those verses?" I told her, "No, ma'am. Mommy didn't know what I was going to do. She didn't tell me that I needed a talent. Just this." And I did my best ever curtsey.

I never did live that day down and I never got over my fear of singing in front of people until I was about 50 and sang karaoke for the first time. My very first time, I sang Bob Segar's song "Come to Poppa", but even at 50, I was still brave enough to sing my own version, "Come to Momma". Afterwards, I was shaking so badly, that I almost dropped my water when I was done and needed a drink. But everyone was coming up to me and saying they had never heard that song, but that I had done GREAT! They all asked me to do something else. And I was hooked!!! I even ran the karaoke for the bar for a little while while my friend was out of town helping her friend through some hard times.

That was more than 5 years ago and I haven't done it since. During that time, I have been nurturing my inner child more and more. Of course, a dear friend of mine once told me, "Your inner child isn't as inner as most people's!" All of the friends at that dinner party agreed with her statement. :-) I will be 58 in April and hope to find a karaoke bar and sing my heart out again!!!