Mariners anthem memory

(Originally published: May 6, 2014)

On May 9, 2012, I had the honor of performing the National Anthem at the Seattle Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers game at Safeco Field. The date is pretty special, because it was the day after the anniversary of my mother’s passing (May 8, 1991). For those of you who know me, you also know my mother was a huge baseball fan and a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees.

At the beginning of the 2012 season, I sent the Mariners a clip of me singing at a Seattle Thunderbirds game with no expectations. Imagine my surprise (shock) when they emailed to book me (!) and offered these dates: May 7, 8 or 9.

I don’t believe in coincidences.

After a long and somewhat tearful conversation with my sister Kimberly, I selected May 9. We both felt performing on May 8, the actual date of our mother’s passing, might prove to be too emotional. I had a terrible sound check (seriously – I started way too high and was intimidated by the players who were taking batting practice on the field). The three-hour wait that followed only served to ratchet my anxiety into orbit.

Then, something weird happened.

As I stepped onto the field to sing, a sense of calm washed over me. I stepped up to the mic – and sang. I didn’t fall apart until I finished singing and walked off the field and into my family’s waiting arms. We then enjoyed watching the M’s beat the Tigers 2-1.

I’m so thankful to the Seattle Mariners for helping make one of my anthem dreams come true… and thankful to my friend Elaine, who recorded it on her phone.