Oct. 3, 2020

THE THEATRE IS DARK, THE SEATS ARE EMPTY, BUT THE SONGS IN MY HEART---KEEP SINGING..

I NEVER PLANNED ON BEING A STRONG WOMAN.  I GREW UP WANTING A SINGING CAREER--TO SING PROFESSIONALLY--WITH STYLE AND ELEGANCE--TO BE A GREAT SINGER WHO ENTERTAINED AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD. MY LIFE HAD PROMISE; THERE WERE MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES. THE TIMING WAS RIGHT AND JUST WHEN I HAD ONE-FOOT-INSIDE THE THEATRE DOOR.....MY MOTHER SLAMMED IT SHUT.

FROM CHILDHOOD, I TRAINED WITH MUSIC TEACHERS AND VOCAL COACHES. I SPENT YEARS SINGING, VOCALIZING, TRAINING, AND PRACTICING... BUT...I NEVER SPENT EVEN ONE DAY BEING COACHED ON-- HOW TO BE "STRONG" AND "INDEPENDENT".

ALL THESE YEARS LATER--- I'M STRONG AND INDEPENDENT BECAUSE I'VE HAD TO BE.  TODAY, MY YEARS OF PROMISE, HOPE, AND ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES ARE FAR BEHIND ME YET….THE LITTLE GIRL IN ME CONTINUES TO HOLD-TIGHT TO THE ELEGANTLY-BEADED GOWNS; THE NEVER-WORN SILK SLIPPERS; THE GORGEOUS PEARLS;  THE GLAMOUROUS RHINESTONE JEWELRY;  AND…THE MANY BOXES OF MUSIC. THE PIANO IS GONE BUT THE NEVER-FORGOTTEN MELODIES-- STAY CLOSE.

A LONG TIME AGO, I RELUCTANTLY ENDED MY DREAMS OF A SINGING CAREER. BUT-- LIKE THE LITTLE GIRL IN ME---I CAN'T BEAR TO SAY "GOODBYE" TO THE GOWNS, THE ELEGANCE, THE SPARKLE, OR---MOST OF ALL---- THE SONGS IN MY HEART.

SALLY MILLER