A Talent to Call My Own

When I was in the 8th grade, I existed at the center of a tight crew of girlfriends who happened to be extremely talented. There was an artist, a pianist, a violinist and a singer. One was an accomplished ballerina and another could excel at any sport she tried. I didn’t have a “thing” that was mine, an expertise that my 13-year-old self could claim.

At one of our countless weekend sleepovers, I pointed this out to my friends, naming what each had as her special talent. I wasn’t upset that I didn’t have one, because I’d always believed I was good enough at pretty much anything, but it struck me as curious.

One of my friends, the master ballerina, said, “But Krissy, you have your voice.” 

And I laughed and shook my head because despite what I just said about being good enough at pretty much anything, singing was not included in that list. And I said as much: “No way…you’ve heard my voice! I’m terrible!”

“No. Not singing,” she said. “When you talk, people listen.” 

I can’t quite remember what I said or thought right at that moment. But it clearly meant enough that I can remember it all these years later.

All these years later, when now I use my voice and my words in everything I do. As a writer, speaker, teacher, mom.