I was fortunate to grow up in a musical family with a very creative mother. She could make things happen, not just for her own children, but for anyone else who happened to be standing around. Because of her wonderful talents, she could take regular folks and make them feel like they could do anything --- sing, dance, paint scenery, sew costumes, write scripts, and so forth. In short, my mother was great at helping people gain confidence in themselves. And she was right there making them look good ---- usually from the PIANO BENCH. For example, she was always producing SHOWS --- for school groups, church groups, community groups, the neighborhood kids, her piano and voice students, as well as her own family. People loved her and were drawn to her, not just because of her marvelous talents, but because she genuinely LOVED PEOPLE.
Carolyn Lee with 5 of her 6 kids at Christmas in Ohio Her immense talents could pose trouble for her children, though. Many times, we were passed over for special opportunities. Then, the "people in charge" felt that they had to explain. "Well, obviously your daughter (or son) was the most talented or qualified for this, but she will always have opportunities in her life. That's why we chose ________ instead." Because our family moved around the country a lot, the "people in charge" never saw that these "special opportunities" didn't really materialize for us.
I always wondered why the "people in charge" felt compelled to say things like that. Why didn't they just post the cast list? Why come to us to try to justify themselves in making their choice? It didn't make any of us feel better ---- quite the reverse.
Even in college, I ran into "people in charge" who acted this same way. For instance, I had auditioned for and been chosen to go on European tour as a singer with the jazz band. Then just before we were to leave, the "person in charge" came to me and said, "You are just too pretty and too good a singer for us. We have decided that you can't go after all." (I suppose that had that happened in more recent times, I would have been encouraged to bring up sexual harassment charges against him. But, we didn't know about things like that back then. I didn't even think I was all that pretty!)
Thank goodness, I was raised by a mother who instilled in us that we can grow from our disappointments --- even if we must use our God-given talents along different avenues. I may never know why I was passed over for so many desirable special opportunities in my life, but, I know enough about disappointments that I can go on despite them.
I always wondered why the "people in charge" felt compelled to say things like that. Why didn't they just post the cast list? Why come to us to try to justify themselves in making their choice? It didn't make any of us feel better ---- quite the reverse.
Even in college, I ran into "people in charge" who acted this same way. For instance, I had auditioned for and been chosen to go on European tour as a singer with the jazz band. Then just before we were to leave, the "person in charge" came to me and said, "You are just too pretty and too good a singer for us. We have decided that you can't go after all." (I suppose that had that happened in more recent times, I would have been encouraged to bring up sexual harassment charges against him. But, we didn't know about things like that back then. I didn't even think I was all that pretty!)
Thank goodness, I was raised by a mother who instilled in us that we can grow from our disappointments --- even if we must use our God-given talents along different avenues. I may never know why I was passed over for so many desirable special opportunities in my life, but, I know enough about disappointments that I can go on despite them.
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