Best Compliment

Recently, I was asked to sing a musical number at my cousin's baptism in California. When it was over, I felt good about the song and performance overall-- I kept my cool, didn't get too nervous, hit all my high notes, and didn't trip on the way up to the podium. Still, I got some mixed comments on my voice that continue to perplex me.

After the program, a woman that I didn't know came up to me and complimented me on the song. She added, "while you were singing my daughter leaned over to me and said that you sounded like the girl from Tangled!"

I actually, haven't seen Tangled yet, but hey, if someone says that I sing like a Disney Princess, I can't complain.

But then, a few minutes later, my Uncle Mike approached me. Now, here is a man with dangerous compliments-- he can never say something completely nice and I always know that he is telling the truth. His first "compliment" was, "You know, you sing better than you drive." Ouch! back-handed compliment! But, nonetheless, kinda funny. But then he said something that will probably stick in my mind forever: "You know what I heard when you were up there?? Michael Jackson, when he was a kid. You know, kinda like some of his slower songs? Seriously."

I already felt good about how the song went, but now my whole perception of the performance completely shifted. Did the congregation hear your typical, sweet lil' J-Kapp song, or did they hear this. . .

I have a really hard time believing that I sounded like Michael Jackson while singing a Janice Kapp Perry song about baptism, but anyone who understands my obsession with the Jackson 5 can imagine my pleasure at this comment. I am still trying to reconcile the different reactions of the woman and my uncle, but I have come to one conlcusion...  If you ever want to make me feel REALLY GOOD about my singing, just tell me that I sound like Michael Jackson.

Whether it is true or false, I will treasure the compliment forever.