Redheaded Jill

When I was in 4th grade I had a solo in our school’s music program. I sang part of a line from, “Eerie Canal”. I can still remember it… “We hauled some barges in our day, filled with lumber coal and hay…” After that program my parents complimented me and so did a few of my friend’s parents. I felt pretty good, not gonna lie.

In fifth grade our class performed “The Music Man” and I was cast as Marian the Librarian. (I peaked at 11 folks…) I loved that musical and felt SO cool. My Grandma sewed me these beautiful costumes, I had a few solos, it was a great time. Even my older brother complimented me, and we were not always on the best of terms as kids. (Don’t worry, now he’s one of my favorite people and one of the best men I know.)

In junior high I auditioned for a special choir and didn’t make it till my 8th grade year. In high school I auditioned for several musicals got one minor role and one leading role my junior and senior year. I went off to college thinking I could do some big things with music.

Well… guess what. In college EVERYONE can sing. Like… everyone. If you grew up in the Church of Christ you likely know how to sing. We don’t use instruments in worship, we really do just use our voices, so we all grow up being able to kinda read music and carry something of a tune. Enter college and you’re surrounded by people who grew up singing in church all their lives and most of them are pretty good.

While I wish I’d pursued music more, and while I wish I’d auditioned for musicals in college, I was humbled to the extreme. I realized I wasn’t as cool as I thought, and I’m really glad I was knocked off my high horse before I became one of the embarrassing contestants on some reality tv show like American Idol or X Factor.

Now I’m content to know that my family likes my voice and my nephews sometimes let me sing them to sleep when I’m babysitting. (Though, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t my absolute dream to perform at a rodeo because I think that would be SUCH a great time.)