Susan Boyle Still Makes Me Cry
If, somehow, you don’t know who Susan Boyle is, go here. I’ll wait.
So. Why she makes me cry. Still, when I know what’s coming when she opens her mouth. Still, when she “lost” Britain’s Got Talent. (I put “lost” in quotes because it isn’t Highlander–there can be more than one winner, and coming out on that stage for the final required a courage I don’t think most people can comprehend.)
Susan Boyle had a dream. She spent her savings to record a demo, she auditioned, she sang for charity trying to get noticed, and didn’t.
But Susan Boyle had more than just a dream. She had determination. She kept singing. She sang karaoke, she sang in church, at home–she kept singing. And then she gave getting noticed one more try. Singing a song about a woman whose dreams have died, she breathed new life into her own.
Watching that first video still gives me chills. They goofed, all of them, in judging her, and she blew them away and it was glorious to watch. I’ve watched it a hundred times, and I love every second–Piers Morgan laughing at her choice of song, then sitting awestruck a moment later. Amanda Holden’s eyebrows shooting up, then she’s visibly rooting for Susan as that lovely voice climbs into one of the high notes of the song. Simon Cowell’s delighted smile, and later his happy little sigh. Susan, having done what she came to do, walking off stage when she was supposed to wait for the judges to talk.
Susan Boyle’s triumph is a thrill for all of us commoners who know we have something wonderful to offer if we can just get a chance. She gives us hope. She did it, when anyone and everyone would have bet her time was past, her chance long gone. If she could keep going, then by God, so can I.
Thank you, Miss Susan Boyle. You’ll always be a winner in my eyes.
Amen!