Daughters of the American Revolution Prepared me for this.

When I was a senior in high school one of my teachers asked me to take a Daughters of the American Revolution essay "exam".  It was a minor test on American history but at the end you had to write an essay summing up why you were proud to be an American. 

It was a timed exam.

Let's just say that I ran out of time.

So I hurriedly wrote something in the paragraph format that I'd learned in English.  I incorporated lots of patriotic phrases.  And in my opinion it was awful.  just.  awful.

Unfortunately based on my exam score and my other high school activities the Daughters of the American Revolution selected me as their "Citizen of the Year".  Great, right?  Well. no.

You see the highlight of the tea they throw every year is having thier citizen of the year read her essay. aloud.  to them. and for a television audience (of tens) on public access.

I remember being mortified.

Last night at our Holiday Party I was the award emcee.  It was kind of the same feeling.  I was prepared but still a little mortified at what I had prepared.

Of course, mortification is easier when you have maturity, perspective and a martini at the ready.

I'm just saying. 

Comments

[dar]

How about this idea? Why don't you rewrite your answer to the essay question on your blog,one day. It would be interesting and it would not have to be timed

[Sandra]

I know that DAR appearance kind of freaked you out at the time, lo those many years ago, but you have since become a very accomplished speaker, and I can't imagine you didn't do a bang-up job as emcee at the party the other night.

Love, Mom