And now for the applause.

From the first time I stood on stage with the spotlights on me I knew that this was where I was meant to be.  I didn’t suffer stage fright, far from it I felt right at home being the centre of attention.

My first lead role was Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and I spent months in rehearsal before the opening day.  There were scripts to learn, songs to rehearse, dance steps to practice and I loved every moment of it.

It was going to be my career one day I thought at the time. I truly believed it was my destiny, to be a star.  I was going to be famous one day.

Well, here I am today, I never made it to stardom, life had other plans for me.

I miss those days of slapping on the grease paint, costume changes and the applause.  I never did reach the dizzying heights of stardom that I dreamed of, but I do feel like a star.  I am here, still standing after all the knock downs life has thrown at me, and for that I will be forever grateful.