Sweet Memories The Song All Alone Am I

This is a favorite song of my brother Nelson who is now in Heaven. I love this song too.

Sweet Memories
The Song All Alone Am I
By Brenda Lee...
It's one of the top ten in the U. S. A. In the year 1962..
I was a child at that time, my brother Nelson and me and it was always played by our Avegon Radio. My brother memorized it first, then hearing him singing the song while strumming the guitar, makes me very interested to sing it too.
Now, our story about this song can be told. My brother died on March 28 this Year and this serves as a part of my Sweet Memories with him, that I miss so much his presence.



I was fifteen years old and in third year High School. It was month of May, our school summer vacation and there's a fiesta in the across island of Negros where our Uncle Roger lives. He was the Chief of Police in that town at that time .

My brother loves to dance in the FIESTA Hall either in our place or wherever nearby and he wanted to go there to enjoy the Fiesta Night with a dance for everyone interested.
He was thirteen years old and too tall for his age as he was a basketball star as a second year High School student. Tall and very good looking and can sing very well too. Nobody believes he's only 13 years old

Papa and MAMA only allowed him to go to any Fiesta Dance in a condition that I'll be with him as his companion or his bodyguard, but not to dance as I do not like dancing.
So we did go .

We traveled by a small wooden banca with two paddles and a Sail as the need arises. We did it many times the two of us without any fear at all.. We learned from experience as we capsized many times and all our clothes were wet and my brother Nelson's disappointment for not able to dance at all . So this time, we placed our clothes, shoes inside a plastic bag, we doubled the bag an placed it inside a plastic pail and tied it under our seats. We capsized twice but able to recover and we arrived safely and was welcomed by our Uncle Roger and his wife, Auntie Nen .
It was lunch time so he was at home. Their house is near the town plaza and the Police Station where he was assigned. During lunch, he told us.. " There's a singing contest this afternoon at three o'clock and the First Prize is One Thousand PESOS. Would you like to join, Naomi ? I will have your name listed as one of the contestants.
My brother and me looked at each other. One thousand was really a very big amount at that time. I agreed and we told them not to worry about our dinner as there were many Barbecue stalls at the plaza and we will be having our quick dinner there. It was agreed

My brother said : If you win the one thousand, we will split it, 500 for you and 500 for me and the added prize of a basket of groceries will be for Papa and Mama.. I replied
" Deal " with a smile in the presence of our Uncle and Aunt.
Our Uncle commented : " When you will win First Prize I will add one thousand Pesos, so both of You will have, one thousand Pesos. "
We both yelled " Wow ! Thank You Uncle "

There were Seven Contestants and I was the number 8 and the last to sing .
My brother sat with our Uncle and our Aunt at the front row of the Audience arranged chairs at the plaza. It was a big event in Town..

When my turn came, the announcer said, " Naomi, from Cebu, and a very tall young lady with a nice name.
As I forwarded to the stage there was an applause led by my Uncle..
The announcer asked " What song are you going to sing for us Naomi ? " I replied "' All Alone Am I by Brenda Lee "
He reacted, " Really ? That's a sad song.if you can make the judges cry, then you truly are a very convincing singer.
Are you ready Naomi ?" I nodded with a Smile and went forward to the center stage.

I sang the song with all my heart and soul through the deepest silence of the crowd.. Before singing the Refrain, I made a two steps forward to be close to the judges ( two ladies ) then Sang it with full , deepest emotion.
The two judges stood and holding each other's hands.
When I repeated singing the Refrain, the two judges were crying. as I.made the greatest performance of my life., like a Drama Princess through a Sad Song. I believe the crowd were crying too
After the song, I made a bow and remained standing Now with a Smile... The whole plaza was in complete Silence. Then one child started clapping her hand and everyone stood with a thunderous applaud..

Eventually the announcer came forward near me.. He said
" You made us all cry and I can't believe that you made me cry too " Then he laughed, and the judges laughed too, then another warm applause and the crowd yelled "
" Naomi ! Naomi ! Naomi ! To The delight of my brother Nelson.
The announcer said." Naomi, You are really you are ! "

I won First Prize !
It was a unanimous decision making my brother and me very happy and with our money in our pockets.

My brother did enjoy the Fiesta Dance in the evening.
Our Uncle said that the Mayor is inviting us for lunch but we.left early morning as my brother had a Basketball Tournament and he's the star player neefing his presence. We told our Uncle to thank the Mayor and hopefully by next FIESTA we will visit again.

We went home happily in a perfect weather and our boat did not capsized. It was an affair that lived forever in my heart.

Thank You " All Alone Am I "

As I am writing this, my thoughts are with my Brother Nelson whom I miss so much beyond Words can say...
..