Most of my grade school education was done at home, other than two years at a small private school. There were many benefits of homeschool including having time to care for all of my pets, learning from my creative artist mother, learning fractions by baking, reading novels on my bed, writing letters on our new computer, and taking holidays in September. My favourite research project was the history of dogs and cats.
When I was 15 and my sister was 17, our academic demands grew to the point where my sister and parents decided that it was time for us to go to school. Gladstone Secondary was the nearest institution. The principal was delighted to meet two well-mannered homeschoolers. “We’ll do whatever it takes to enroll you” she said.
A lot of people have asked me if it was a shock to go to public school after homeschooling for so long. It wasn’t really a shock. I had watched tv shows and movies and heard stories from friends. I got lost a couple of times and it was a little weird to see classmates making out in the hall. I had also never used a combination lock before, so on the first day I put the lock on backwards and had to ask for help in getting it off. I wasn’t the most popular kid but I made great friends from day 1 and I was never bullied. People were overall friendly. Best of all, I got to sing…
A Singer’s Poem
Melody Soprano was what my red sweater sleeve said
Folk songs and classics soared in my head
At 7:30 am the Gladstone Concert Choir gathered to sing
If anyone came late you could hear a pin ting
For Miss Suderman could stare down 100 highschool students
She challenged us to be excellent, disciplined and prudent
With a shaky voice I called my dad before my senior ensemble audition
“You’ll make it Mel.” He declared, “all of your work will come to fruition”.
A crowd of teens stood around the paper
Would my vocal dream continue or would it taper?
As a child I didn’t like my name Melody
It sounded to many like Melanie
The mean kids cried, “smelly Melly”
‘Cause I didn’t really like my baths
The hardest part was when everyone would laugh
I bet my brother $100 I wouldn’t be a singer
I found out my dad wanted to name me something cool like Tamara
Not fair! I cried to Mom who had named me from
an ancient old fashioned era
But one voice teacher, Evie was her name
Saw something in me, a voice no one could blame
She watered my talent and brought it to the light
She said, “All gifts are from God and beautiful in his sight”
So there I stood in the hall
Maybe I could be Melody after all
For there was my name in black and white
The red sweater was mine, I had won the fight
The time was changed to 7:30 in the evening
I still wasn’t quite believing
That I could sing a high B without really screeching
We were a family of singers with a beautiful leader
The music for me was a wonderful healer
Holiday assemblies were my favourite
We sang all day, I missed English Lit
Teachers signed the line and I was free
Skipping math class filled me with glee
On the bus, on the skytrain I sang out the window
If my friends were beside me then we sang together
One February the choir boarded a plane to Phoenix
It was so hot I needed some Kleenex
To wipe my brow as I looked at a cactus
Ten feet tall it towered above us
A high school had called us to join them
For a workshop and concert, can’t think of a word to rhyme
On our way we stopped at a festival, again yikes!
Eastside and Westside of Vancouver united, Gladstone and Magee
Singing in harmony (cheezy)
We were the only Canadians in line
But we did amazingly fine
Achieved the top score and praises galore
Made me want to travel some more
The part that made people weep was when three choirs gathered to greet
The Arizona parents, school staff and friends
We gave them a memory that wouldn’t end
Red sweaters were gone only black ties and dresses
With a cello and piano to support us
We sang ‘O My Love’s Like a Red Red Rose’
A love song that spoke deeply to Melody Rose
The PAC committee played the video for our parents
My dad still brings it to my attention
What a gift Gladstone choir was to my life
And now I am a singing wife 🙂 (with a singing groom)
I paid Daniel $100 dollars
Just before Good Noise choir performed in the cathedral
I sing the melodies that are composed in my head
At many a wedding I sang words that came while lying in bed
At church I led people in musical worship
Miss Suderman, those voice exercises were definitely worth it!
I could not do this without my family and friends
kind pastors and leaders, teachers and borrowed pianos
Most of all I give thanks to the One who made it all
I am his instrument, His love alone makes me stand tall.
