That category came later in the ceremony and by then I knew what to do...
But I was a finalist in another category too--"Articles in Print". Did you notice the word articles starts with an A? Well, the winners were called out alphabetically by category, sooo...
I had never been to the Selahs before but didn't worry because when the finalists were announced "anthologies" was announced first. I had assured myself, I could just watch that group as they were called out to see what one does if they happen to have their named called. I sat comfortably in my chair waiting to watch whatever happened. Eva Marie Everson, the MC came to the mic and said they were starting with "Articles in Print". (Unbeknownst to me, they had bumped anthologies back to be with the other books.) When I heard this I sat upright and thought, "Uh oh! I'm in trouble." Eva announced the 3rd place winner and it was not me. I blew out a sigh of relief and relaxed back in my seat a little. I could see what that person did. Did they walk on stage or just stay in their seats? My back quickly tightened again and grew rigid when it became apparent that person had not come to the awards ceremony. Then the 2nd place person was called--me!
I had no idea whether I was supposed to go on stage, stand, or just stay seated. I quickly decided it was better to stay seated than to parade on stage when no one else that night did. Eva moved closer to the mic and said, "I know Harriet is here. Harriet, where are you?" I stood up at my seat.
Then Eva graciously said, "Forgive me. I forgot to say what people should do when their names are called." Then she proceeded to explain that we come onstage from one set of steps, receive our certificate or plaque, and exit down the other. So I made my way to the stage thinking, "I guess it's pretty obvious I have never won a Selah before." :D
To quote my sister who made this comment from a church stage once when she was supposed to sing and had made an awkward entrance. She faced the congregation and said, "I was born in Africa and went to high school in West Virginia, so really you're just lucky I'm wearing shoes." She brought the house down.
I love Africa and West Virginia, by the way. Experienced some of the best times of my life at those two amazing places being a part of those wonderful people, and though I've lived in Louisville longer than anywhere else, I will always think of my two hometowns as Ogbomoso, Nigeria and Bluefield, West Virginia. So I mean nothing derogative in that statement. I actually did spend most of the first ten years of my life barefoot.
