The Day I Met a Favorite Singer

My friend handed me a copy of "The Shepherd Express" as I was leaving work.  I didn't look at it until much later that evening.  I saw a little notice on the bottom of page three.  I screamed at my husband, "Look at this!"  The notice said that Judy Collins...THE Judy Collins would appear at a nearby book store to talk and autograph her new CD.  I looked at the time.  I had little more than half an hour.

Judy Collins has always been one of my favorite vocalists.  I own every single one of her LPs; that's old-timey vinyl records for some of you who may not be familiar with the term.  I thought it was worth taking a cover over for the signing and perhaps she might autograph it.  I grabbed my favorite one, "Whales and Nightingales," and ran off to the book store.

Copies of one of her books were lined up near the door.  I felt obliged to purchase one, especially since I was going to ask her to sign my album cover.

I went downstairs to the coffee shop where Judy Collins was expected.  She came in and I was astounded.  Here I sat, not three feet from Judy Collins!!!  She talked about her life and sang several songs and she was every bit as wonderful as I might have imagined.

After the performance, I quickly walked upstairs where I knew the signing would take place.  I was third in line.  As I approached her, she saw the album cover and started chatting as if we were old friends (much to the dismay of the people lined up behind me).  We talked about the various songs on the album and then she autographed it for me.  She was charming and gracious.  I thanked her and started to walk away with my treasure.  She called out, "Carolyn.  Don't you want me to sign the book as well?"  So I handed her the book which she also personalized.

I was totally in awe of this performer whom I had admired for so many years.  On the way home I felt more like a college student than the mother of two grown children.

The album cover hangs in our little library.

Amazing the coincidences that led me to meet Judy Collins.  What if my friend had not handed me the "Shepherd Express?"  What if I hadn't looked at it until the next day?  What if the book store hadn't been so near?  What if I couldn't have found the album so quickly?  But that day everything fell into place.

You may ask why I selected this particular album among the many I owned.  Simple.  This Judy Collins album was the first gift my husband gave me while we were dating.  And now it is even more special.

Judy Collins will never remember meeting me, but I will never forget meeting her.