When I was in the 6th grade I was in Glee Club. I don't think it was something you tried out for and achieved. I remember just being placed in the class and that Mrs. Friedlander was our teacher. It's interesting that it's been 36 years and I can remember her name but not what I had for dinner on Thursday.
I ended up loving Glee Club. Not because I had a great voice. I can carry a tune, but I am not American Idol material. I loved it because it was different from the other classes. And Mrs. Friedlander would teach us songs that I remember to this day. Songs that weren't top hits or even well-known. Songs such as Gypsy Rover and Chickery Chick. I was only 11 and life simpler then.
Glee Club wasn't all fun and games though. I went through one of the toughest times in my young life in that class. And I learned a lesson that would remain with me for life.
Mrs. Friedlander prepared us for weeks for the Christmas pageant (it was still called that then and this was a public school in NYC). We were going to sing The Twelve Days of Christmas as one of our selections. I had been thrilled when she selected me to sing the fifth day part. She chose 12 kids, one for each day. We would sing our parts solo each time it came up. There were over 30 kids in the class. That she thought enough of my voice to choose me as one of the 12 made my heart swell with pride.
Well, the time came for the performances and we were psyched. We had practiced and were ready. The performances would be during assemblies. Remember those? We would all file into the auditorium on our assigned days and be kept abreast of goings on at the school, enjoy performances, etc. We had assembly Monday through Friday. Different kids on different days. It was manageable that way. It also meant we got to perform our songs on five days, not one.
I was wearing my navy blue skirt, white blouse and red ribbon on Monday morning. I was so happy to be singing and had taken extra care that morning getting ready for school. I had been in this country only 3 years then, but I was speaking English like a native and loving my new country.
The performance was going great. We had sung a couple of songs. Now it was time to do The Twelve Days of Christmas. I looked forward to my solos. I sang along with the others and anticipated the limelight when I would belt out "Fi-i-i-ive golden r-i-i-ings." Mrs Friedlander had taught me to slow it down and make the most of it. But something went wrong. Dreadfully wrong.
When I sang my part, the assembly burst out laughing. They were laughing at me. Surely that couldn't be right. But when we got to day 6 and I got a chance to sing again, it had the same effect. I was on key, my voice was strong and solid. And they laughed. They laughed real loud.
I tried to keep my composure. I've always been the sort of person who feels things deeply. Still waters run deep and all that jazz. I could cry at the mere mention of the little deer getting his heart cut out in the Snow White tale. In my head rang, "I must not cry. I must not cry." Not in front of all these kids. I don't know how I did it. I got through the other 6 instances of being laughed at. But I honestly don't know how I did it.
Thankfully it was the last song we were singing and we left the stage right afterward. I don't remember where I went to cry. Surely I did go cry somewhere. It was too much humiliation for my little 11-year old heart to bear without bursting. What I do remember is that back in class the realization that I would have to do this another four times hit me! I knew I was going to be laughed at but I still had to go through with it.
I had given my word. I had accepted Mrs. Friedlander's invitation to sing and I knew the commitment meant five days. Not 1-day-because-they-laughed-at-me-find-yourself-somebody-else-tough-luck-Teach.
Mrs. Friedlander assured me I had done a lovely job. She said those kids didn't know music. She said everything right. None of it mattered though. I had to sing again and I would be laughed at.
I got through Tuesday. Knowing it was coming made it worse. I'd get to my part and on cue, the assembly would burst out in gales of laughter.
By Wednesday the word had spread around school. The kids were coming to enjoy the spectacle of...... me. I did not let them down. I somehow managed to get through it. Tears in my eyes, but voice unquavering. The laughter ringing in my ears even before it started.
I was being tortured. Each day that week, I was walked to the guillotine to have any self esteem or pride I once possessed cut off.
I almost quit after the Thursday performance. I cried to Mrs. Friedlander and tried to convince her that surely this much humiliation was more than any person could bear. She said she understood and would replace me on Friday. I saw the look in her eyes and realized once more that I could not let her down. I told her I would go through with it. Thinking back I doubt she could have secured a sucker kid to replace me.
Come Friday I prayed for a different outcome. But it was the same as the days before. Maggie sang. They all laughed. Maggie sang her part eight times. They laughed at each one. Was it possible to endure this much humiliation?
Oddly enough, I don't recall Mrs. Friedlander giving me accolades when it was over. I'm sure she did, but I don't remember that. I just remember how much it hurt while it was happening. I also remember the pointing of fingers in the hallways for weeks to come. And a certain Mr. Haber, who taught math and I had a crush on, coming to my rescue when someone was picking on me. ::smile::
The lesson I learned was that I was made of some strong stuff. I also learned that when I gave my word it was as good as gold. In retrospect I'd say it was a price worth paying, even if I didn't realize it then.
Maggie Dokic, SFR is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida selling residential real estate in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Gables by the Sea, High Pines, the Redland and other select areas of SW Miami-Dade County.
Maggie has earned her SFR certification to be able to better serve the needs of her customers in today's non-traditional real estate market. SFR is a Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Specialist. Designees have been trained to understand the highly specialized options available to Sellers facing short sales & foreclosures and Buyers looking to buy them.
For more information on our local real estate market, or to see or sell a home in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables or the Redland, visit my Miami Real Estate blog or contact me at Maggie (at) TheBlogThatAteMiami (dot) com.
The opinions expressed herein, are those of the author, and not necessarily of Prudential Florida Realty.
Sam Callahan, the son of a Realtor (and my friend & 
inclines of our winding, poplar-shaded mountain road.
about: 
edier Sale 
where there is a healthy arts climate....
onal Forest. She wonders, as we drive, if she will be attracted to the parcel. 
are seeing thoughtful development where homes on the land, such as this horse property in Asheville (see photo of FSBO) take into account eco-friendly features. 
actor in Asheville, NC who plans to build a LEED certified home on an outstanding lot she discovered, so we are especially excited about 
