A trained singer or public speaker often stands at the front of the room, sharing their ideas, their direction and advice for the betterment of the rest of us.

She tells you to sing. You sing.

She says “Good afternoon!” She expects you to say it back – with feeling and conviction. If you don’t…you know what happens. She will make you say it again, and again, until you say it loud enough.

Even though this isn’t a motivational conference, they are still in charge and they can (and will) make you do things you didn’t think you would do today.

Today’s event, the final performance of a day-long annual gathering of singers…they learned some of these songs in school – taught by their elementary and middle school teachers. Songs like “The Best Day of My Life” and “America the Beautiful” (which admittedly is one of my favorite songs, patriotic or otherwise – those amber Waves of grain get me every time). Others, they just learned today – maybe not the words – but the harmony of singing with their fellow Sopranos, Altos and maybe a few Tenors thrown in there, too.

When the director stood up front and asked us all (the non-trained audience) to sing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” we did. Just to prove a point and to remind us that learning about America starts early and should continue. It made an impression on me, and on others in the room, no doubt.

She didn’t have to be standing at the front of the room to make her point. She could have just been sitting or standing in a group of peers, but perhaps (hopefully) because of where she did stand, many more will listen and do something about it.

~ Dawn aka Hat Girl