Terry Foster: The Time I Forgot My Speech

By Terry Foster
The Family Deal

Auburn Hills – On Wednesday night I served as Emcee and guest speaker for the 27th Annual Steak and Burger Dinner at Oakland University to benefit the Matilda R. Wilson Boys and Girls Club in Auburn Hills.

I even got to hug Wilson Club director Lekita Jones who is the queen of hugs in Oakland County.

One of my jobs was to introduce 9-year-old Amaris Blair who was to give a brief speech on what being a member of the club means to her.

She walked up to the podium like she owned the place. She was filled with enthusiasm and confidence. But we never heard from Amaris because she forgot her speech.

I've been there before. During my youth I was part of the forensic team at Central Michigan University and I often entered a category called "After Dinner Speech." The goal was to give a humorous speech that transitioned into a serious topic.

You would spend four minutes making fun of global warming and then try to solve the problem.

Guess what happened to me? I froze during a competition at Ball State University. I also forgot my speech. Mine was right smack in the middle of it and I felt like the biggest card in the world.

I stood before the audience for what seemed like an eternity even though it was probably for just 10 seconds.

That is when you discover that there is civility in the world. You sensed people rooting for you. I saw people in the audience nudging forward as if their movement would jar my memory. Someone whispered for me to take my time. They were all behind me.

Finally the words came again and I got through my speech. I didn't win any awards that day but was encouraged by the friendships that I encountered when things did not go my way.

We all rooted for Amaris last night. We wanted her to unglue the fright and tell us why being a member of the Boys and Girls Club is a wonderful thing.

I hope to hear her speech someday.

** I will emcee another event Friday at Allen Park Presbyterian Church. It is the Celtic Spring Concert hosted by Remedy Detroit. This is the second concert that is helping pay for the restoration of the church's Oregon. The concert begins at 7 pm. and it will be a nice enjoyable evening of music.

After that I will rush over to Royal Oak's Emagine Star Lanes in downtown Royal Oak for the NFL Alumni Association draft party.

I will be a celebrity bartender along with media folks like Jennifer Hammond and Amy Andrews at Fox 2, and broadcaster Rob Parker. Former players Lomas Brown, Rob Sims, Eddie Murray, Lem Barney and Andre Rison will help out.

The event is hosted by Lions tight end Eric Ebron and former safety Ron Rice has his hand in it also.

Cover is $100 and proceeds assist Wayne County High School students.

(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com. Twitter: TerryFoster971)