The dream of becoming a star is something a lot of people have when they are younger. Everyone starts out their career differently. The small Little Tikes radio with a microphone attached was the perfect beginners item for an up and coming star.
My room wasn't just a bedroom. Beyond the white walls, frilly comforter, and hand me down white and gold furniture, there was a stage. Maybe it was just a rug from Wal Mart, but to me it was a stage. On performance afternoons about 4 p.m. right after preschool, and on into kindergarten the auditorium was packed.
Leo the stuffed lion and his wife, along with two of the smaller stuffed lions were among the guests. Teddy was present, his vision impaired however since an earlier episode caused one eye to be lost. Some of the crew from My Little Pony would be able to make it, and the main V.I.P. guest was a small white chubby bear named Snuggles.
With everyone in place for the main event, I would begin. My small knowledge of songs would make for a few repeats. Preschool provides you with a few good ones. "This Little Light of Mine" and "God Loves All the Little Children," were big fan favorites. There were also times when my mother's christian music tapes were available for my use, and those were special surprise performances.
When i needed to take a break the music didn't stop. I was even a recording artist in my down time. I would play the tape in deck 1 and record my voice over it in deck 2. "Baby Balooga," received amazing reviews. Those stuffed animals really knew how to make me feel like a star.
It wasn't too long ago that my parents came across one of my recorded tapes. It was a very embarrassing moment. They laugh because of my few choice of songs, words, and the in between welcoming of different guests. I remember though, how important I felt. The love I had for those stuffed animals, and how important those days were to me. I loved being by myself, and singing.
Now that I am older my singing has slowed. I realized I was never going to become a multi-platinum artist. I settled for church musicals, and the choir. I do belt some tunes out in the shower, but no one is around to hear that.
I have fond memories of coming home from school and being the main entertainment. Now, I only wish life was equipped with a remote, so I could rewind back to the good parts, hit pause when I want to stay a while, and fast forward through all the bad things. I guess we all have to grow up sometime.
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I love your descriptions of the stuffed animals, Jordan. I can see your room, and I like that you included specific song titles. You capture kids' musical taste, their ability to rock out to "This Little Light of Mine."
ReplyDeleteI also really like the paragraph where your parents come across your tapes. Throughout the piece, you joke about yourself, and I think the shift toward tenderness -- "I remember, though, how important I felt..."-- is really effective. Funny and tender are a great one-two punch, and a little tender goes a long way.
Good story. I feel like you did a great job of taking the reader back to that point in your life. The descriptions of your audience is hilarious. I have to say that I can relate to a point when I was a child and felt like I could be a star at anything I did. I like the part towards the end where you said you still belt out tunes in the shower from time to time. It shows you still have a bit of that kid still in you. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI like your description of your childhood dreams. I can see your place and the important things for you at that point of your life. I can see you had a good childhood sorrounded by your parents and the dream of becoming someone in life. Good story!
ReplyDeleteVery fun... I agree with everyone else when it feels like i can see your room...maybe i'm just seeing mine, because i use to do the same thing...except it lasted WAY past kindergarten! My parents always seemed to love my shows, they were the special guests...sometimes! I love the descriptions of the stuffed animals, and the mishap with the missing eye! Great job!
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