One dreary evening in a small town outside of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, I a tiny woman of 45 years began experiencing my first signs of labor pains. I knew these pains all too well. After my experience with my previous 13 children I had been informed of the pain I would soon endure. My weary husband sat beside me, appearing exhausted from the 12-hour day he had just completed. Silently I said a prayer for the unborn baby I was about to conceive. Although no name had been picked out just yet, I already loved this child and had high hopes for it.
Now my family was not rich, by any stroke of the imagination, but we had a bond that those living around us were often jealous of. We spent most of our evenings together singing, whether it be at home or performing in front of an audience. With all 13 of my children, there was bound to be some hidden talent in the genes somewhere.
Well unknown to me, our 14th child, my new arrival, would hold the greatest talent of us all. Her singing ability would impact the world, crossing language and racial barriers. Although no one could have predicated this looking at her background of a lower class family with 14 children.
I remember the first time, at the age of five when she got up on stage and began singing in front of a crowd of 20 adults. She was never nervous, nor did she appear to be at that moment. She raised her head high and sang like I had never heard her before. As I scanned the crowd, I saw people murmuring amongst themselves. The voice of Celine rang loud and true throughout the whole club and after that first night, the club was packed out every time Celine came to sing. Her fame quickly grew through our small town and into neighboring towns.
My daughter, Celine Dion used her musical talent to pursue a life long dream. Despite her age she married her producer, Rene Angelil. Although her father and I liked this Angelil guy we still thought he was much to old for our little Celine. Her music brought her from being just a local small town performer to a world renowned pop artist. Her first recognition was winning the Gold Medal at the Yamaha World Song Festival, 1982 began a fast paced career to stardom. Unfortunately I was only able to witness this momentous event through a small 17" T.V. that we had in our living room. Money did not afford us to fly to Tokyo to see her win her first award. She now holds many awarding winning songs and tours all over the world.
Celine never forgot us despite her rise in fame. The whole family including her father and me has an important role in her career. Her older sister does her makeup and another one becomes her translator the day of Celine’s performances. Her father and I beam with pride every time she walks onto the stage to greet her millions of admirers. Who knew that the simple prayer I had said so many years ago would be answered and would be standing before the whole world to tell of his amazing love and grace.
Comprehensive Questions:
- When the mother said she knew about the pains of childbirth what was the mother referring to?
- What were the towns’ people often jealous of from the Dion family? Why do you think they were so jealous? What would make them jealous?
- When was Celine’s first public performance? At what age?
- Who did Celine later go on to marry? What impact do you think he had in her life and her singing career?
- When did her career first take a swing for the best? Where did that take place?
- What are some of the important roles that her family plays in Celine’s life? Who in your family has had an important impact in your life?
Outline:
- Before Birth
- Going into Labor
- 14 children
- Prayed for Baby
- High Dreams
- Family History
- Family Bond
- Singing time/performing
- Hidden Talent
- First performance
- Celine Dion
- Marriage
- First recognition at the Yamaha World Song Festival
V. The importance of her family
Resource:
http://www.celineonline.com/bio.html