Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

Disclaimer:  I have been thinking about this post a lot lately.  It won't come across as humble as I would prefer.  But this is my blog, and assuming you Reader, are my friend, I am going to be open and hope you don't judge me...

If you asked me what my talents were, I probably would say they aren't "talent show" talents.  I write.  And actually I read one of my pieces for a talent show.  Kind of weird, but it turned out OK.  I actually dream of writing something for a magazine someday or talking about my new book on the Today Show.  (It's not written, or being written.  Just my dream...)  I know that God blessed me to be really comfortable in front of others.  Public speaking is no biggie.  I've spoken in stake conference twice and I can give a church talk on the fly.  Sometime, I'll have to tell you about the time I found out about a baptism talk I gave with about 5 minutes notice.  And I am a teacher.  It is who I am, through and through.  I love to teach at church.  I love to teach children.  And I am good at it.  A talent from God, I like to say.  But see-- not "talent show" material.

When I was a girl, I dreamed of being Taylor Swift.  Of course, she wasn't born yet, but that was my dream.  Being on stage, singing my heart out.  (OK, no blonde curly hair though.)  Not for the fame or money, just because I love to sing.  Even took a few years of voice lessons (thanks Mom and Dad).  And since we always had a microphone, had a few moments of singing in front of family friends and once for the Moses Lake Yacht Club and a Jr. Miss Pageant.  But I guess at about 17, I accepted that I was probably a small group singer.  Ironically it was probably because of a musical we did at church and having lots of friends that were great singers.  And watching American Idol.  I guess I figured, I was one of those that thought they could sing.  And really needed to find another dream.  And I had accepted it.

I have usually joined church choirs more to support them, rather than because I love to sing in a huge group.  I have moved into new places and been asked at church, "Do you play the piano? (no talent there)  Do you sing?  Small group, large group, solos?"  And I would always mark anything but solos.

But then I moved here.

For some reason, people here think I sing.  Surprise!  Maybe they know something I don't.  People keep asking me to sing stuff.  For various things.  Like Sunday, one of my friends suggested I sing for an upcoming talent show.  And last week, someone asked me to sing at a Christmas church activity.  I've felt a little put on the spot, but I am definitely rethinking my singing ability.  Maybe being in that musical, when the directors taught me some things about my voice, maybe I got a little better.  Maybe I have underestimated myself all these years.

So right now, I've been singing mostly to support other people.  But I have to be honest.  I'm still left a little dumb-founded.  I'm not planning on auditioning for AI.  (Of course, I'm too old anyway.  Why does that age requirement make me feel ancient??)  But I guess I'll keep saying "yes" when people ask, I guess.  And maybe someday, I'll volunteer.  Not sure.  I'll let myself enjoy it in the meantime.  Just in case I have them fooled.  LOL
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P.S.  Our family was asked to sing in church on Halloween.  We practiced and practiced and the boys knew every word of "Nephi's Courage"-- all three verses.  We practiced but not in front of the microphone.  So the day of, as we began, G. really wanted to be heard.  He pressed his face up to that mic.  We were in the middle of the song, so we did the best we could to pull him back.  Then the circus began.  In front of everyone, we moved him around and then K. decided he wanted to lean forward to the mic.  But we couldn't stop the song to get everything under control.  So we finished the song and I think everyone could tell we knew the words.  But it was an entertaining reminder that we adults are NOT in charge; we are at the mercy of our kid.  They remind us often that we shouldn't think we are too cool because they will find new ways to embarrass us.  Andy had been worried that people would be able to tell he wasn't a singer.  I can PROMISE no one was thinking about how great of singers we were.  Afterwards, we couldn't really punish him, because he said, "No one EVER let's me use the microphone.  EVER."  So can you blame the poor boy?

Doesn't he look all innocent here?  ;)