I must ask for forgiveness before hand in case I start rambling and you suddenly can't understand.

July 19 marked yet another way in which Julie Andrews changed my life. One of my greatest, and silent, wish was for Julie to regain her voice even if it was a miracle. Well, let me tell you, happily tell you, that she has regained a little bit of her singing and talking voice and it is marvelous.

I was completly nervous all day, as if I was the one going on stage, it was hillarious and scary. I was finally going to see Julie sing, no matter if she previously said that it was sing song, and nothing could damper that. Well, almost nothing. There I was ready with my camcorder, my picture camera, my camera/binoculars when I learned that the bus that was going to take us to the Bowl was late and that I still had to wait for everyone to get on to see if I, and mom, had a place in one of the buses. It was the most horrible experience. Would I not get to see Julie?

I have to thank another fellow Julie fan for my peace of mind and sanity. She was grateful enough to ask the man about the tickets and although she received the same answer I did at least she broke it more gently to me. She also kept on talking to me, encouraging me to keep hope. I know it sounds so dramatic on my part, but it is Julie Andrews, and those who know me know that she is my hero! God knows when I would have another chance to hear her sing live!

Another fan must have heard us talking and must have seen my dilema and because she had extra bus tickets, at least she said, she sold me 2 for mother and I. The first fan was just as happy as I was! And there I was, the youngest fan in the bus, clutching my hand tightly, breathing in deeply, and with open eyes, ready to finally see and hear Julie Andrews sing live. I couldn't have been more elated, happy, nervous, scared, and expectant.

When we arrived at the bowl, after hearing very confusing directions on how to get back I had to rush towards Will Call. With tickets in hand, clutched tightly so I wouldn't lose them, I directed myself towards the Hollywood Bowl store where I found "Simeon's Gift" and a Cd of Julie singing all the songs she was going to sing as well as some others (the cd was recorded about 15+ years ago). With that in one hand, the tickets in another, and with my mother in tow we finally made our way towards the entrace. We were checked and then I suddenly was there, at the Hollywood bowl, an hour away from seeing and hearing Julie.

The time flew by, talking to other fans, laughing and taking pictures to prove I was there (by miracle). Suddenly the lights dimmed, the orchestra stopped tunning their instruments, and the screens lighted to the wonderful landscape of Austria. Julie's voice suddenly filled my ears as she sang "The Hills are Alive" in the record of Sound of Music, my eyes were filled with pictures of Julie, all of which I recognized, they even placed one of her and Carol from 'The Pratt Family Singers'.

And there she was; walking, no glidding across the stage, wearing a beautiful silver ball gown, and bearing the great smile that only Julie Andrews has. I was waiting for her solo, yes her solo, to be at the end and I thought that she was not going to sing until then, Imagine my surprise when she didnt. She started singing "Getting to Know You" and I couldnt' help but mouth the words as I desperatly clicked away with my camera! She presented the very fortunate souls who got to share a stage with her but sadly I cannot recall their names for my eyes were centered on Julie all the time. Whenever she would leave the stage I coudln't help but follow her even as the spot light dimmed from her. She was such a lady; and she made us laugh and cry and even sing with her!

She did sing a lot more than I thought she would; "Getting to Know You", "Medley Waltz", "Impossible, It's Possible" and "Do Re Mi". The last of the previously mentioned started as a showing of the movie Soudn of Music and just as she sings "that'll bring us back to do oh oh oh" Julie suddenly shouted "STOP!" and I was like 'OMG what happen?' but then she turned and said "Lets sing that blooming song!" and we all sang along with her. I GOT TO SING WITH JULIE ANDREWS, well... you know what I mean.

When her solo came... magic happened. She simply sat in the middle of the stage, took the mike and started singing as if she had never stopped before. One has to admit that it was lower than usual but her voice, and the whiteness of it, was incredible. She carried the melody and sang in tune, except for the last little part when emotion got to her. She later said "I just had to do that!" which of course made us laugh.

The first part of the concert was over and I was still in cloud nine, thinking that I must have been dreaming that glorious afternoon and clutching at my sit begging for it to never end. Quite dramatic I tell you. The second part soon began and we were treated to a special reading and musical representation of Simeon's Gift. I wish I had recorded it but alas I only have Julie's parts, which are of course, enough for me! Julie was marvelous reading, I tell you she is the best narrator in the whole world, and she would even slightly interact with certain expressions of surprise, relief, and joy. She even did a few head movements that the performers did. It was so... wonderful.

Finally, and even though I didn't want it to, the evening/night ended with Julie starting of "Edelwiess". I tell you that if there had been a dried eye in the house, or the bowl as it is, it got teary at this moment. Julie did such a wonderful job which of course got her a standing ovation. She bid us farewell by thanking us for assisting and pleading with us to drive home safely. Home safely.

When she exited the stage many of us, almost all the house or bowl, continued clapping and she was grateful enough to come out once more, throw some kisses and the glide off the stage. It was so magical!

We made the trek back home, me tightly clutching my camera, binoculars, and camcorder, as well as bag and goodies and for the first time I did not nod off after a concert, play, or presentation. I was wide awake all the way back, softly singing a couple of tunes, and thanking all my stars for the opportunity I received. I will treasure forever my 300 something pics.

A miracle did happen that night; Julie Andrews sang again and I was there to witness it. Impossible things are happening and I saw it. Just remembering brings tears to my eyes and the feeling of dreaming. I can't wait to see her again, take thousands of pictures if possible, and witness a true lady, performer, and wonderful person. I missed her voice and now its back. I woudln't be surprised if she gets another cd in the future, even if its reading the dictionary, because I would certainly buy it just as many other would.

Sorry I rambled and I was so late with the details but... I just managed to mention this gift Julie gave me without squealing or crying. I hope that you guys can see through this how much it means to me and that you start believe because, to quote Jools, dreams do come true.

And....

She "sings once more"!

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