"The Chance I Didn't Take"

This story is based on prompt # 19 on the creative writing prompts website I use (http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/)
The prompt is "Begin a story with 'There once was a chance I didn't take'"

The Chance I Didn't Take

     There once was a chance I didn't take. When I was younger I always wanted to be a famous country music singer. I've always loved to sing, as far back as I can remember. I don't think I ever enjoyed anything as much as I enjoyed singing. I dreamed of recording my own albums, performing concerts, making appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, the crowds screaming and clapping, going wild all because of me. I had visions of award shows with me winning awards such as female vocalist of the year, song of the year, single of the year, album of the year, and of course the big one: entertainer of the year. I remember using my bed as a stage and my hairbrush as a microphone, practicing my performances. I even began writing my own songs so that I would have songs to sing because I didn't realize there are songwriters who write songs for the stars to sing. I told everybody I was going to be a huge country music superstar when I grew up. And, of course, everybody laughed at me. I was told over and over again, by many different people, how big a risk I would be taking if I were to follow my dream. I heard stories about all the millions of people who did pursue that dream and didn't make it and I heard horror stories about the percentage of those people who ended up living on the streets and eating out of dumpsters to stay alive. Those stories didn't scare me, though. I still wanted to pursue my dream. It was a risk I was willing to take. I wanted it that badly. So when I grew up and the time came for me to pursue my dream, of course, I very promptly proceeded to...freeze! "What do I do now? How do I start? Where do I begin?" I had no idea. Of course, back then there wasn't the internet to find all the information you need like there is today and when we did get the internet, I didn't know how to use it well enough to find the info I needed. I asked people what I needed to do to become a country music star, but all anybody was able to tell me was "Move to Nashville." Okay...move to Nashville and do what? I wasn't going to move to Nashville until I knew what to do once I was there. So I never did do anything to accomplish my goal. Over the years I just kind of lost interest in becoming a star. I even eventually lost interest in country music. I really don't even listen to music anymore, but when I do, it's gospel or contemporary Christian.
     So, that's the story...that was the chance I didn't take...and you know...I don't regret it!