“Blue silver winters that melt into spring…these are a few
of my favorite things..." I could listen to Julie Andrews sing that line every
night of the week. Musicals are, well as Mary Poppins would say, one of my favorite
things. I love the passion that’s evoked in song, and while in the the real
world we don’t spend our lives pausing at dramatic moments and faded lights
before we break out into ballads, our arms stretched from East to West….
there’s something soul lifting that comes from those unhindered voices on the
silver screen and Broadway stage that suggest, perhaps we should, and perhaps
we do. In our trademarks and style, our choices and humor, the destinations we
book tickets for and the 5 most played songs on our iPods, all the intricately
designed slivers of us that melt into a delightful watercolor harmony of
personality and preferences. Even the simplest decisions of “I’ll have my
coffee black” or “2 creams and sugars please”, indicates that you have a song
and so do I, yours has different notes, the girl serving the coffee has a
concerto and the guy playing the old violin amidst the trash of a metro line;
well, if we stopped to listen we’d be moved beyond words.
Here are some of the lines of music in my composure; I’d rather have white tulips than red
roses, Thursday is my favorite day of the week, and I purchase wine strictly
based on the bottles design. I am not a morning person, I hate mornings, the
most difficult task of each day is making myself get out of bed; but, on those
rare occasions when I catch the sunrise and the birds morning chorus
congratulates me on my epic accomplishment; it’s sheer exhilaration. I have a
passion for film and photography, even when there’s not a camera in my hand I’m
constantly seeing framed stills of every day life. I see the shot in my head
and I capture it: the positive without the negative. I’m comfortable speaking
in front of thousands of people but can be terribly awkward on dates with
dapper gentleman. I share my story boldly but sometimes feel incredibly
vulnerable and wonder if I have a safe place to land. I’d choose a presidential
biography over a Glamour magazine any day of the week and sometimes I buy books
simply for the scent that only a book has. There are moments when in
private the grace of God fills me with so much joy and gratefulness that I
burst into tears or laughter. I find serenity in the mountain skyline, I’m
terrified of heights and falling, I’m a dreamer by nature and transparent to a
fault. I love football on Friday Night and golf on Sunday afternoons. I
fiercely and fully love my family and friends with sincerest conviction. I’m
convinced that one day someone will buy a book I’ve written, even if only for
the way it smells or the covers design rather than the words inside. If you
asked, I’d tell you I believe dragons once existed and true love still does.
I’m also the type of person who doesn’t want to wake up
(around 11:30am preferably) and ask herself the question, What if? And while you can argue that the question
itself has two sides; What if I had? and What if I hadn’t? I’d dare say that
asking ones self “But, what if I had?” seems far more detrimental than
pondering on the outcomes of something you’ve already done and cannot undo. It
is because of that particular pitch in the sound of my soul that I will be
competing in The 2014 Miss Tennessee USA competition as Miss Walking Tall USA. It’s the same tone that found me sitting on a rock at Walden
Pond reading the words of Henry David Thoreau, watching the same water be moved by the wind that he glanced up at, as he wrote those words. The same rhythm
with which I find myself preparing for a trip to The Dominican Republic to
speak of the grace of Jesus Christ, through a translator, to a group of Dominican
women; each with their own ballads to bear.
After prayerful consideration, on October 3rd
through October 5th of this year I’ll go after an opportunity one
last time; or as my dear friends father would say; Sarah, you’re on the 1 yard line now go get a touchdown…." I am
excited for this opportunity offered by The Miss Tennessee USA organization and
thankful for those who understand when I look at a challenge, a dream or a door
to be opened and say; Why not? I would love your prayers and support. When it
comes to friends and family, and the people who surround me, I count myself an
incredibly blessed young woman and I am so grateful for the people whose lives
have been grafted into my own. You are the sound of wind chimes when the breeze
of providence blows and I love you with all that I am. I hope you each always
find the strength to see the beauty in the symphonies, whether bitter or sweet and when the moment comes, may you stretch out your arms and boldly
sing your song, because truly; I’d love to listen.
In faith, hope and love,
Sarah
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