December 16, 2007
Center Stage
As I sit here trying to finish up my Christmas cards, I'm listening to one of the Christmas CDs that I finally found. And man did it bring back a memory.
I started performing publicly when I was 6 years old. Dancing, singing....yes, I've grown up a "ham".
One of the first solo's I ever performed was at school. And it was O Holy Night....not an easy song to sing well what ever age you are. But, it was believed that I had the experience to pull it off, even in elementary school.
So I practiced. And practiced. But you see, I wanted to surprise everyone so I practiced in secret.
The day of the big performance finally got here. The program was scheduled for the afternoon. That way the parents could attend and then we'd all be done for the day.
I was especially quiet that day. Didn't do much talking. I was focused on my solo. I kept running it through my mind, over and over again. I just had to be perfect.
The program itself was running as smoothly as possible. Finally, FINALLY it was my turn. I had slipped into my "costume" (a short white robe paired with a black skirt - very angelic) and stepped center stage.
The music started, I closed my eyes and sang my little heart out. You could hear a pin drop. I knew, in my heart, I was doing my very best.
And then I got to the chorus. That's the most emotional part, so I just belted it out....
Fall on your face! Oh, hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born;
Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night Divine.
Yes. You read that right. Fall on you FACE.
I don't think they stopped laughing until WELL after the song was done.
But looking back - it was pretty appropriate for ME to make that mix-up.
Ahhh memories of Christmas past. You gotta love 'em......