Jasmine's Place Issue No. 3 - January/February 2013 | Page 8

In my wildest dreams, I could never have even
fantasized that I, lisping little “Patricia Lynn
Punchinello,” would receive accolades from
stammering super star “Mel Tillis!”
to fill their lives with homespun
humour.
Once inside my small dressing room,
I lock the door, and relish the clicking
sound of bargain-priced boots on
mosaic-tiled floor.
Lowering myself into the vanity table
straight back chair, I look into the
lighted mirror. Emotionally, I morph
into six-year-old Patricia Lynn
standing in front of my bedroom
looking glass.
I rehash the school day before… The
kids say I talk funny; they laugh at
me. I want them to stop. I tried to tell
them! My words came out, “Thop it!”
They laughed and made funny
noises. Like snakes, they hissed in my
face. “Ssss, Ssss!”
A firm rapping on the door jolts me
from painful self-talk reminiscing.

I wipe away shed tears; standing
upon shaky limbs, I go to unlock the

door. An Opry gofer says, “Patsy,
there is someone here who’d really
like to meet you!”
“Hi Paaa…tsy, Juuu…st want to tee…l
you how muuu…ch I liii…ked your
shhh…ow!”
I stand speechless, staring into the
compassionate eyes of Mel Tillis!
He laughs heartily, sensing my shock
and verbal paralysis.
Daughter Pam steals him away, to
attend an Opry Legends awards
banquet.

In my wildest dreams, I could never
have even fantasized that I, lisping
little “Patricia Lynn Punchinello,”
would receive accolades from
stammering super star “Mel Tillis!”
Glad I stepped out then!
Copyright © Pam Ford Davis
http://teapottestimony.vpweb.com/?prefix=www

JASMINE'S PLACE

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