I don’t think I have wrapped my mind around Friday night just yet.

To co-host the televised portion of the Circle of Lights was a huge enough responsibility and privilege.  A major television and stage production, meticulously planned, and revered by the community - no small task to tackle.

To sing in something this huge was a whole different ballgame.

And to do both - whoaaa.

It’s not like I’m scared to death to sing in front of people - I’ve done quite a lot of singing - but a lot of it has been either “in character” as part of a musical theatre performance, or in a larger choir group.

I also know that while I enjoy singing and am not terrible at it, I am no Faith Hill, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, or Sandi Patty for that matter. Especially when it’s freezing cold and I’ve been going 100 directions all week!

I gave myself a pep talk before getting up there on stage:  “People here are in a good mood, it’s more about the holiday spirit than how perfect my singing is - just smile, look to all your friends and family in the front row,  know that most people in the crowd aren’t here to critique like Simon Cowell - just get over the nerves and ENJOY this unbelievable Christmas moment!”

       SO  - I did. 

And you know what - I was right.  It wasn’t perfect. Far from it.  I cringed as I watched the tape -  yep, there was that phrase where I pushed too hard.. that one note where I slipped off the pitch a bit when I ran out of breath (I could SEE my breath so it was easy to tell when it was running out.) 

   As much painstaking rehearsing as I’d done, there’s nothing like singing in that environment, with the sound booming all over the place, and more faces than you can ever dream of counting staring up at you.

    But - I’m still proud. Proud that I kept a smile on my face instead of falling flat on my face -  that I didn’t forget any words and horrify the show’s organizers and my coworkers -  and that I kept it all in perspective - it’s about the SPIRIT - not the perfection, right?

A few dozen people, co-workers, friends, and total strangers called and emailed to say nice things about the performance. Really sweet, encouraging, thoughtful comments.

Only one wrote a Grinchy, grouchy note pointing out my vocal flaws.

For that one person, and for everyone else, I have the same response:

Merry Christmas, and may the joy of the season fill your heart!

 Trish