My passion

Passion as defined by Merriam-Webster is a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept Passion for everyone is different. For some, a passion may be playing a sport or acting. I have a passion for singing. Singing helps me emotionally and spiritually.
I have been taking vocal lessons since I was seven years old. My freshman year of high school I made it into our advanced choir at Ursuline Academy and had several solos. I have been in the Millikin Music Festival twice and have been both a Finalist and Semi-finalist for voice. These are just among the few accomplishments I have vocally. I do not sing to get recognition, or awards. I sing because it makes not only myself happy but others happy as well.
Singing is the one thing that makes me happy. When I sing the world is at a standstill. Singing relieves my stress. Whenever I get in a fight with my family I go into my room and I will just sing. It is calming and makes me forget about what else is going on in my life so that I can have that brief time by myself.
Singing is how I communicate with God. I am not one to be able to sit quietly and meditate in church. I am to easily distracted. Singing is how I pray during mass. I am taking the gift God has given me and using it for him. I feel the most prayerful when I am singing; there is something about the lyrics and the song that really makes me think.
My grandmother was very supportive of my singing. She passed away two years ago, and I had the privilege of singing at her funeral. This was very important to me because she was so encouraging about me and singing. It is very difficult for me to sing in front of my family, but I have always been able to sing to her. I remember one specific time she took me into a room separate from my family and sat down and she said “Alright Elizabeth, you are on American Idol and I am Simon Cowell.” So I stood in front of her and sang “The Water is Wide.” When I finished she would look at me, tears in her eyes and would say “Welcome to Hollywood.” Thinking about times such as that helped me through her funeral mass, knowing that I was singing for her.
Passion for everyone is different. My passion is the gift given to me by God; the gift of singing. Being able to sing when I am going through hard times is just what I need. My passion for singing has taken me so far, I am so grateful for all that I have accomplished.