Of Me I Sing

I'm often reminded about musical solos I had as a child and how badly I wanted to be a professional singer. I would drive my siblings slightly nuts with my incessant practice. More often than not, however, people asked me to sing. Unbiasedly, I had a good voice - I received compliments from musical teachers, voice coaches and a professional musician who I met. I was invited to join groups, but today, alas, I don't sing often - save for the shower and the carpool line. I don't posess the same range as I once did, though I have an ear for music and the ability to join most tunes with harmony.

I harmonize with Sara Bareillis and Sarah McLachlin and Sarah Brightman, but the reality craze American Idol has reminded me that a voice is a subjective thing. Being that mine doesn't get the same kind of exercise as it did years ago, I limit my singing to my private, alone time or to karaoke. I share it with the children who ask for it at bedtime. You see, after my 8th grade graduation, high school did not present the same opportunities to sing and my academics took over. By the time college came along, I was even more studious and of the mindset that I would become a psychologist, then a recreational therapist, then a teacher, and then a writer...And after college, I entered the field of public relations. Unsurprisingly, no one has asked me to sing in this professional realm.

Voice-related talents do run in my family. My brother, who also sang when he was younger, does voice-over work today. My sister can belt out a tune and she is an off-Broadway playwright and director. My father is a pediatrician who can play piano, guitar..and also sing. My aunt, my dad's sister, is a voice and piano teacher. My first cousins, my aunt's offspring, sing, play instruments and are in bands. My sister-in-law, who is not a blood relation (but probably should be since we have so much in common)is part of a blue grass band.

Every once in a while, I still get caught by someone - and it's completely off guard - singing a tune. That person will say "You've got a nice voice there" when I've been oblivious to the fact that I was singing at all.

There is definitely a caged bird inside of me, but mainly, she's content to stay in. After all, much like the home, certain comforts are reserved for the cage.