Found My Voice

I remember very early in my life my Moma and I singing. She taught me songs to sing for church and school. We lived in Portsmouth when I was small. Our next door neighbor had a friend that recorded people singing. One day I had a "job" recording "I'm A Little Tea Pot" with this gentleman in Mary Sawyer's living room. Talk about acoustics! There was every kind OK knick knack imaginable. The notes probably bounced off one figurine to another! For one day, though, I was a recording star. Moma dressed me in one of my best dresses, hair all done up in finger curls, white socks trimmed in lace, and black patten leather Mary Jane's. I did mention they only recorded my voice, right?

Growing up we would gather around the piano and sing. Driving in the car we would sing. In the boat, too. We always tried to sing lead by Mom and her friend Thel. It was fun listening to old hymns and favorite songs from yester year. Shine on Carolina Moon was a staple when the moon was full.



Singing in the choir at church started at a young age for me. White short robes with black bows were the uniform of the day, Sunday that is. We went to Cradock Baptist Church where I sang in the children's choir. Don't remember the songs we sang too much, but I can bet there was a rendition of "Jesus Loves Me" somewhere in our books.



When we were back on the island, Gwynn's Island that is, I would sing in the choir at Gwynn's Island Baptist Church. Mrs Broughman was the first leader I remember from then. Our Church had three choirs then so we children didn't sing much. Special holidays and occasions just about did it. I remember going over to church to practice, of course we wanted to do anything but practice. I don't think we were the best students of music back then. A few times I was part of a trio of singers which included Dee Dee and Marsha Leigh. One year we sand "Silver Bells" for the Christmas program. Everyone said we did good.



I have always loved to sing. Radio or stereo blasting and we'd be singing along. I was in the Glee Club at my school(s) in Virginia Beach. Even in lower grades you had to try out, or audition to sing with the group. Scary, but worth it when you got to belong. I can remember sitting on the steps at my Aunt's house and her daughters and I would sing Moon River over and over until we got the harmony just right.



All through school and Church years when we had a choir or choral I would sing. Then my age came to be an adult, the adult choir was a little scary. They had been there a long time, harmonized at ease and really didn't need any new members, so I didn't try to join. I would help with the kid's choir, but they had better things to do with their life and that fizzled. Still I sang, shower, bath, inside, out, I loved to crank up the tunes and sing.



Then a few years ago, I was asked by our choir director John Lee if I wanted to be in the Christmas Cantata. I could not believe my ears, someone wanted to hear me sing again. I jumped at the chance and have been there ever since.

Now mind you I don't sing any thing alone, or solo. But I do enjoy trying my best to harmonize with our altos as we sing praises in our Church Sunday mornings. Sometimes though it seems try as hard as I may I hit a note that's just a little too high and absolutely nothing comes out! I am so glad others around don't notice and their voices more than fill the void my creates.

Maybe I use my voice too much for other things. Or just maybe it's a tad bit too old. Even so I find it difficult to throw in the towel and give up. I so love being there, being needed and having my little part of our service go to the glory of God, missed notes and all.