In the summer of 1972, I made a choice. It's not necessarily one, that at the time, my mother and father were thrilled with, but I made it. I made the choice to walk away from an incredible scholarship to the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. I wanted to be an actress, a Broadway star, a singer, all of it, but that summer, I found something that touched my heart and interest in such a different way, and my mother still refers to it as "the day I ran away to play with the dolphins".
All through my school career, I sang, I danced, I performed in one capacity or another. I was good at it. I enjoyed it, and then Heaven help us all. I got a summer job at King's Island Amusement Park just north of Cincinnati and THAT is where I discovered those wonderful dolphins. So, that August, waiting until the absolute last moment that I could sign those papers and accept the scholarship and start college, I made the choice to simply walk away. In those days, the outcome of the "choice" other than travelling and playing with those wonderful mammals, was not evident. Today, I know that making that choice brought people into my life that changed me for good. I guess in a way, you could say good from the standpoint of permanence but also from the standpoint of the emotion of goodness and the path in life that has brought me to where I am now.
In 1974, dolphins introduced me to my husband, They brought me friendships with a couple of people that were still in my life up until a couple of years ago. My husband, at that time was a professional musician, and because of that, music never left me. He played, I sang, we did duets of old songs like "Turn Your Radio On" and "Down By The Old Mill Stream". We had so much fun, and to this day, very few people know that he really sings very, very well.
I look at myself now, gray hair, glasses as thick as Coke bottles, hearing - well no, it's not so great, and that rich soprano voice I used to have, well, these days, mama sings bass.....
The question was put to me by a friend not long ago that if I had it all to do over again, would I have signed that paper and headed to Cincy or kept things just the way they are. There is not a doubt in my mind. I would have run away and played with the dolphins, cut hundreds and hundreds of pounds of frozen fish, cleaned squid for the sea lions and made chum for the sharks in the tank. No, I wouldn't change a thing, and this is why.
I met a man that was brilliantly talented as a musician. He married me, and though we've had our ups and downs, I love him more now than ever before. We triumphed over all types of problems that plague so many couples, but the one problem for us that turned out to be a blessing, was that we couldn't have children. Patience and waiting brought us two beautiful spirits, a girl and a boy. They are our passion, our joy, our love for each other, all wrapped up into their own spectacular personalities and lives. Now, they are beginning to make those life-changing choices and follow a path that is not always full of sunshine and roses. There are a lot of pitfalls along the way.
I guess what brought me to this story tonight is that I have had such a wonderful day. My daughter came out for some help with a project, my son was home and playing with the puppy that managed to find it's way to my daughter and son-in-law's front porch last week. My husband was in and out constantly all day long. We had a nice day and it ended with my daughter and I singing karaoke together to songs from Funny Girl, Wicked and My Fair Lady. Oh my stars, we were so loud that I closed the windows so the neighbors wouldn't call the authorities! But it was fun. It was so much fun.
So, here I sit. It's getting late, and my face is lit up like a Christmas tree. I have remnants of songs bouncing around in my head, but there is one in particular that means so much. Before I let you listen to it, think about a couple of things. That scholarship was an unbelievable opportunity, but those squeaking and splashing dolphins led me to the wonderful man in my life - 36 years this December. That man became the father of our two beautiful children. Our life has had its ups and downs, but things just get better as we go on. God put things in my path my whole life, people, places, choices...and I think that those crazy dolphins were the first of many. I got my calling for ministry. I made friends that have forever found a home in my heart. Found new gifts and talents to take over where the old ones were beginning to fade. Choices, yes, good ones and because of them, I have been changed for good. There is one song from Wicked that I love to sing, I love to hear it, and being the "heart on my sleeve" person that I am, I can't get through any of it without tearing up. Right now, this song is sent to my family, all of them, but especially to my husband, my daughter and my son. Sweet Jesus, you brought these wonderful things into my life and You have changed my life for good. Thank you! I love you so much.
In Him!
Kaye
Now, listen, read, think, remember, smile, be thankful, be blessed and just enjoy!
