I had a dream….

On By AngeliaIn Beauty is on the inside, Life is what you make it.

A dream to WIN. A dream to walk that runway and seize the marks of the judges, and steal the hearts of all my new fans. A dream to be Miss Tigerette. She was the beauty and talent of a small town in Oklahoma. She rode in the parades. She represented all the young girls ages six to eight to be a model of great pride and poise. She smiled. She waved. She ruled for one year, the title, Miss Tigerette.

I could do it. All it would take was my best dress, my best patent leather white shoes, my best swimsuit, and the boldest brightest smile in the world. It was all within my reach.

And I had a lot going for me. The paper was taking pictures. The Ada Evening News. They MUST have the inside scoop. My mom was a former Miss Ada beauty queen. How could their pick be wrong? I had the genetics. Pageantry ran in my veins.

Just look at all the prep work entailed.

Why just a few days before I had wowed the judges with my six year old intelligence. When asked, “Why I wanted to be Miss Tigerette?” I rather incredulously answered, “I want to win!” The answer still resounds in my head ringing in all it’s simple truth. Why else people? Why else?

The judges got quite a laugh out of that answer and I KNEW I was solid. I had it in the bag.

Who could resist my best blue ruffle dress. My hair curled and prepped by the great former Miss Ada, who even got a runner up in the Miss Oklahoma pageant.

My winning smile, even though I had a black tooth. Yes, it’s a black and white photo and a black tooth. My oldest brother whacked me in the mouth with a swing. Hey, it gave me character. Right there you can see where I learned – beauty is on the inside.

I strutted the stage like a champ.

I pulled my ace in the hole at the swimsuit stage. Check out those sweet sunglasses, that stylin’ suit. No other six-year-old had fashion with such passion.

Like I said, I was a winner, but I didn’t win after all. Shannon won. Shannon won every year. The agony!

Ah, but I got over it. My picture graced the paper. I got flowers from my parents. I was PROUD and happy. All in all, it was a great experience for my mom, and for me, even though I did not get my crown. I did not win that, but I did win.

However today…..today totally makes up for that loss. Today, I finally get my crown. Oh yeaaaah!

Confessions from a Working Mom

I am QUEEN for a week. As your queen, I promise to uphold my values, but just note a few things have changed. No more blue ruffles. Just good ol’ blue jeans, usually the fat pair (that’s too small-ahem). No more curly hair, I just blow dry and go. No more swimsuits with holes, like any where. Hey, gimme a break, 32 years is a long time to wait for my crown. I’m not all that and bag o’ chips anymore. But, I’m going to enjoy it anyway, just a little more worn is all.

My black tooth did fall out (after my first grade picture mind you). Now, I only have a slight gap. I still smile with all my heart. I still want to win, just not against the Shannons of the pageant, but only against myself – to be the best I can be.

Please no pictures. Let’s all NOT eat cake. How about we just cheer with all our hearts gratitude for the wonderful experiences that make us whole, complete, and true even when we don’t win. Sooner or later, we all get our crowns – in Heaven.

“You were not born a winner, and you were not born a loser. You are what you make yourself to be.” Author-unknown.

37 thoughts on “I had a dream….”

  2. THAT my friend, is why I think you are SO special. That last line sums it up “You are what you make yourself to be.” You ARE a wonderful person and an inspiration. Your posts always touch my heart! You deserve your crown ALWAYS my great and mighty queen!

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  3. suzicate

    I love this post! Even way back you had that beautiful smile that captured hearts. And throughout your life, you’ve taken your experiences and grown into that lovely woman that wears her crown on her heart! You rock!

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  4. Hi Angelia, this is a wonderful post again. I love the way your described this part of your life. You have indeed a beautiful smile! What a adorable child you were! And your mom! She is beautiful too!

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  13. Hi Angelia,

    I love this post. It brought a smile to my face as you described how you prepared for the pageant, swimsuit, curls, smile and all.

    And even then, when you didn’t win, you knew you won.

    And now you’re Queen for the Week. Congratulations on getting the crown. It’s well deserved. Enjoy!

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  14. this is the most beautiful post i have ever seen, the innocent smiles, the perfect photos, the beautiful writing…I feel like looking at a real angel and it is all fresh, loving, and smart.

    Happy Monday!
    Sweet Post!

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  17. What a beautiful memory. Though you didn’t win, I’m sure you learned some experience that you’ve been able to pass along to your own daughter. Those are beautiful pictures! You had that beautiful, heart-warming smile even then!
    You’re a love and a queen in my book.
    Have a great week!
    **Hugs**

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  21. Peggy Nolan

    Dear Queen,

    Congratulations! The crown couldn’t have been passed to a more beautiful soul than yours…black tooth gap and all!

    xo
    Peggy

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  25. Hi Angelia – thanks for dropping by my blog, hope you will come visit again! I love your blog and this story is wonderful – love the photos and your daughter’s beautiful smile. Great post

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  26. Oh Angelia, you were the winner in your parents eyes and that is what counts. Your were proud and happy and a winner in your own eyes.
    Having gone full out and even thinking you could win is an experience to never forger, as once you think you can win, you will.
    And look how you are winning now, you are a queen with three princesses, you even have your king.
    Soon you will again be the winner on the day of your wedding.
    You go for it. xox Wilma

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  32. blissbait

    Good Lord, Angelia! You are an ASTOUNDINGLY BEAUTIFUL person inside and out! This is magical. Thank You, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! for being You and for sharing. Happy Queen week! 🙂 Big Hugs, and a deeply bowed Namaste.

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  33. Its almost like you and I are opposite twins…I got married on 03/03/03 and have the opposite in kids…we’re both the same age…it goes on and on…kinda funny how that works! 🙂

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  35. Great post and great quote at the end. Love it!

    Just stopping by to thank you for gracing my blog on my SITS day last Friday.

    Wishing you crowns and crowns of glory.

    Peace and serenity,
    ~Jo
    ‘The End Of The Rainbow: Life After Bankruptcy’
    *This week is ‘MS Awareness Week’– feel free to stop by to see how MS affects people worldwide and what you can do. ::HUGS::

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  37. Congrats on being Queen!

    Those pics are so cute!

    I’m going to have to call my mother and find out if there was any photo of me in my pageant. I had forgotten about it, probably blocked it out on purpose! LOL!

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