By Sue Staton

It has been some time since I have written about our youngest granddaughter Olivia. Since she is going to be doing something this weekend I am very proud of, I could not help but mention it.

Since Olivia has been 3 or 4 years old, she has loved to sing. The first time I noted how good her singing was, I heard her singing along with Elsa in the movie, “Frozen.” I was stunned.

I think Elsa was a big help in Olivia’s acting ability and her singing. Since she loved the movie so much, she sang it over and over.

Olivia has sung and danced around Louisville for some time now and been in multiple plays. She has been on stage many times and nothing seems to scare her when she takes the stage and belts out whatever song she is to sing.

If she is playing a character, she stays in character throughout the play and is a joy to watch. I may be biased since I am her grandmother (you think?), but I personally think she is great.

What amazes me is how quickly she can learn an act or a dance step and dozens of songs and never forget them.

I am hoping this is true this weekend as she is going to sing the national anthem at the Lexington Legends game. I nearly panicked when I heard she had just began practicing on it last week. However, her mom said she seemed to have it down pat and the person who worked with her said it sounded great.

Since Olivia is only 10 years old, I am so proud of this opportunity for her.

Olivia seems to take each challenge in stride. She seems to thrive when she has an audience.

My heart just swells with pride as I hear her singing and I could listen to her for hours.

If you have not been to a Legends game for a while, maybe you can join me Saturday. I will probably be the one with the biggest smile on my face as I watch my granddaughter sing the national anthem with pride.

My favorite songs she has sung so far have been the patriotic ones.

While looking through a book that Jim Powell loaned me, I read how it was a lawyer who penned the words to what would later become the United States’ national anthem.

Though I was aware it was Francis Scott Key, I do not know why I was shocked to learn he was a lawyer and not a military person. It was while Key was reflecting on the battle of Baltimore and the bombardment of Ft. McHenry on Sept. 14, 1814, he was inspired to write what we know as the national anthem.

Though he was considered an amateur poet, I doubt he ever dreamed at the age of 35 those words would become so famous. How beautiful those words are and what a beautiful and brave story it tells.

I always love to hear our anthem when our U.S. teams win at the Olympics and it is played in their honor from their home country. I don’t know about you, but I get chills whenever I hear the “Star Spangled Banner.”

I am sure I will once more get chill bumps this weekend when I hear my granddaughter, Olivia, sing this beautiful song.

I am and always will be proud to be an American.

Sue Staton is a Clark County native who grew up in the Kiddville area. She is a wife, mother and grandmother who is active in her church, First United Methodist Church, and her homemakers group, Towne and Country Homemakers.