NEVER MEETING A STRANGER...

As a child, I was told to sit and be quiet. Never speak to others, and always behave in the mannerism of southern children. Sitting ever so graceful, legs crossed so my underwear is not visible, shoulders back, posture perfect, I wanted to challenge why I must sit and not be heard. As I grew older, my father taught me to 'Speak up. Let your voice be heard so the world can hear you.'

How I loved my dad! At five years old, I put my dad's words to the challenge while sitting alone in the choir, singing my first song on stage. Never did I have butterflies in my tummy, or knocking knees. I remember looking out to the audience as the pianist strummed on the keyboard and suddenly, I heard my voice singing, "Yes Jesus Loves Me." My body felt as if it was on fire as I continued singing. My debut to the world of "Let your voice be heard so the world can hear you."

Flash Forward to many years later. Married at seventeen -- much too young -- still married to that same man. OK, life isn't easy, and neither is marriage, but to be successful at anything in life -- you've gotta work at it!

My husband was a believer that a 'wife should be seen and not heard.' Oh no -- here we go again with that stiff Southern heritage.

There have been many times when I have spoken up and put my foot in my mouth, but I am the first to apologize when I recognize I have made a mistake. I've recognized life is not perfect, and neither are people -- as hard as we try to be perfect, it just isn't meant to be for us.

I have the type of personality that loves to be the center of attention, and when I enter a room, I love to introduce myself so others will know who I am. Believe me, that has caused me much embarrassment over the years. My close friends describe me as a person who never meets a stranger and that is so true. I love meeting people and watching their actions, listening to their voices, actions, mannerisms, posture and how they respond to others.

On stage, I come alive! A few weeks ago my husband and I were at the local VFW in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Every Friday is our date night where we mingle with close friends while performing karaoke. Several within our group do not sing, but we have a few who have jumped on the stage to belt out a tune. When I am on stage I could not tell you who is in the audience. I am focused to the song I am singing, the dance movements and stage performance. Focused. We have a group of five to eight who sing several songs and before the night is over, we encourage our audience to get up on the stage and sing. It is so much fun.

Perhaps that is why I never meet a stranger. I love singing, acting and just being on the stage -- in the lights. Well, it isn't Broadway, but for me performing is so rewarding. On stage I am totally focused and I am not observing the actions, or whispers of someone in the audience. Focused -- totally! A few weeks ago when leaving for the night a friend informed me about a guy watching me while I was singing. "Didn't you notice him?" She asked.

"No. I was on stage focusing on my performance."

"But it's just Karaoke."

"Maybe for you -- for me, it is pursuing a silly dream I had as a child -- to sing to the world. Silly me."

Never meeting a stranger isn't so bad, even when some strange guy hits on me without my knowing it. I've always thought a wedding band would detract someone from doing that since I am married and my husband is in the audience. OK, so he ignores me -- that isn't anything new!

I suppose I will never practice the art of 'sit there and not be heard.' It is much too hard for me to behave in that manner. I have never been described as a Southern Belle. Steel Magnolia -- perhaps!