O Say, Can You See?

I just realized something fun while continuing my list of who I am. I am so excited because this weekend I get the privilege of singing our National Anthem at an IHRA (International Hot Rod Association) event at US 131 Motor Sports Park just north of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Singing is one of my favorite things to do, and it's an absolute rush doing it in front of 20,000 plus appreciative drag racing fans. I've had this gig for the past five summers. It all came about through my husband's car pool buddy who is involved with their employer's sponsorship of some drag race drivers. It's a great deal for us. I get to sing a song I love, and we get a well accommodated and fun weekend for our entire family to enjoy. In trying to figure out who I am, I am reminded of the fact that singing is one of the very first ways I defined myself. As a toddler, I sang church hymns around our house before I was even talking. For show and tell, I often sang for my kindergarten class even though I was too shy to look my teacher or any of the kids in the eye. I come from a family of singers who all had the same awesome high school choir director. I enjoyed performing, competing and being in musical theater as well. It was the one place I felt comfortable with who I was. It was a LOT of work, but I loved it. And when I'm asked why I didn't go into music as a career, I have to admit it was because I was more interested in getting the approval of others than making myself happy. That's a shame. But it's a good thing to admit to myself. So over the past ten years, I've revisited my love of music. Now I write my own music and sing whenever I get the chance. I've been seriously addicted to Americ1an Idol for the past nine seasons. And GLEE! makes me absolutely giddy! I think there should be a reality show for people to perform the National Anthem. I also think all U.S. Olympic atheletes should have to prove that they can at reasonably lip sync our National Anthem before they can represent us at the games. Because it's an honor to represent our country, and it's an honor to sing it's Anthem. And tomorrow when I am waiting patiently to perform, I will be awed in the final minutes as the thick smoke and loud rumbles of the finalists' cars rev loudly behind me. My husband and kids will look anxiously at me as the television cameras zoom in on my personal space like pirahnas, and the show director gives me his final directions. I will be humbled as I walk proudly onto the track behind the military color guard onto the track. And without fail, my shoes will unexpectedly stick to the newly tarred track, and I will just narrowlly miss falling on my face. And with a smirk, I will take a deep breath as they announce my name. I will turn the mic on, face the enormous flag that's waving above, put my right hand on my heart and start to sing. And despite what you may think, I won't be nervous. I will be SO happy and honored and humbled, that the the unnerving reality of thousands of people staring at me won't bother me in the least. It will simply be the best 77 seconds of living that you can imagine. And I know that this crowd will go wild when I'm done because they love drag racing and America and a good National Anthem. So, Dear Readers, I hope your weekend will be filled with high moments such as this. And as I go back to that list I've been compiling of who I am, I will surely list "National Anthem Singer" somewhere near the top. And if you have an iterest that you did not fully persue way back when, examine that. It's a good piece of information to have. And maybe, just maybe, you'll start to sing again too! Lauren