Page 64 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

to prove that dreams do in fact come true, later in life I made
eight guest appearances on Tommy’s show, appearing with
superstars like Kris Kristofferson and Glen Campbell.
Vian was my partner in crime and we couldn’t wait for
Saturday nights! We would dress up in our fanciest play-
clothes, make-up and heels. Standing off to the side of the big
television console, we’d sing and dance along with the square
dancers and musical guests. Our parents found us to be most
amusing and loved our performances just as much as we did.
And of course, being older and more driven in these matters,
I never gave my little sister much choice. Many of my days
were spent directing, rehearsing and performing new musical
extravaganzas with her. She was such a good sport and very
talented in her own right. Yet she was always compliant and
she always followed my orders. My poor sister!
My ‘official’ debut performance involved reciting a poem
that my mother helped me memorize. I was 5 and it was called
“The Shape I’m In.” I dressed up as an old woman in a long
black skirt, floppy brown hat, white gloves and a beige shawl,
with cane in hand. My mother directed me. My transformation
was meant for the enjoyment of the local lady’s tea in the
basement of the Carmangay United Church. Oh, how I longed
to be in front of a crowd. The attention was exhilarating and
my love for performing was obvious, even then.
Being in front of people came naturally to me and I was
constantly playing movie star, singer, dancer, producer and
director, every chance I got. Even as a little girl, when my
parents were busy running the ranching and farming business
(which was most of the time), I found my stages under the yard
light and in the hayloft of our barn. I would carefully climb to
the uppermost position and from that lofty height, I could gaze
down upon my adoring (imaginary) audience. The corral fence

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