National Adult Literacy Database

July 20, 1998

The story this week was written by Elaine Catherine Papps, from Kelowna, British Columbia. Elaine is gradually overcoming almost impossible odds in her struggle towards selfhood. Her biography is certainly a worst case scenario; everything that could go wrong went wrong, starting with a dysfunctional family, learning problems, unfortunate choices, narrow general information and limited problem solving skills. The result of all these difficulties is a heartbreaking lack of self- esteem. However, Elaine has made tremendous progress. Not only has she gained in writing ability, but in her discernment. Growing self-confidence allows her the time and space she needs to read and consider issues and offer a reasoned opinion. Elaine's future is bright, as her tutors assert.

My Dream to Become a Singer

by Elaine Catherine Papps

All my life, while growing up on a farm, I wanted to be a singer. This was in the late fifties and early sixties. My older sister taught me to play the guitar. With the three chords she taught me, I quickly learned to play different chords. I learned to play by ear. Soon I was singing for friends and relatives. My two sisters and I got a chance to sing on the radio in Penticton. It wasn't too long before my two sisters lost interest and we quit the weekly show on Sunday afternoons. Although I was crushed, I did not give up playing and singing.

My husband to be had heard me sing before he met me. This was at a summer camp where I worked. He said he heard me singing in my room one night. Then one day we met and the rest is history.

After we married I continued to sing at church and at parties with my friends. When my two baby boys arrived I sang to them.

Then it happened that I lost interest in playing the guitar and singing. It's been a few years now since I picked it up to play. Watching my grandson, who is 16 months old, suddenly gave me the incentive to start playing my guitar and singing again. Who knows, my grandson may be the one to become the singer I wanted to be. The dream may come true.

This story was taken with permission, from a compilation of stories by the participants of Project Literacy Kelowna Society's one-to-one adult basic literacy tutoring program, entitled Our Words III, p. 39.]