By Kathryn Roethel
Tim McGraw made Taylor feel like the star of the show as he performed one of his recent hits, “My Little Girl.”
The concert crowd was all smiles as country music star Tim McGraw sang the final refrain of his 2006 hit “Last Dollar.” But none could compete with the smile of one particular girl sitting right next to the stage; McGraw was holding the microphone in one hand and holding hers in the other.
That girl, 11-year-old Taylor, is quick to share that McGraw has been her favorite singer for “a long time.” And when spina bifida made her eligible to receive a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, she decided that she wanted to meet the country idol she “just loves.”
The path to Taylor’s wish began at her elementary school cafeteria in Bryan, Texas, where her classmates waved hand-painted signs and cheered her on, and a construction-paper red carpet just for her lined the floor. Principal Marilyn Rosas surprised Taylor by reading from a letter with a famous signature.
“Hi Taylor, this is Tim McGraw. I'm looking forward to meeting you in New York next week, and I understand you are a big fan and I can't wait to sing to you.”
Fortunately for Taylor, the wait wasn’t long. Less than a week later, she was on her way to meet the superstar live on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Taylor’s wish and McGraw’s appearance on the morning show were all part of the kickoff for “Share the Joy,” a cause campaign created by LAY’S® brand potato chips to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts introduced Taylor to McGraw live on the air, and Taylor looked right at home in spotlight. She politely asked if she could call the star by his first name, and McGraw laughingly agreed.
Taylor sang along to all her favorite songs during the concert and beamed from her front-stage seat.
Taylor had the best seat in the studio during McGraw’s “GMA” appearance and the 30-minute private concert that followed, grinning, clapping and singing along with the McGraw tunes she knew so well. Taylor’s face showed her happiness when McGraw took her hand and starting singing the chorus of “Last Dollar” directly to her, and she flashed him the thumbs-up sign during his sentimental hit, “My Little Girl.”
After the show, Taylor was able to chat one-on-one with her new friend. She presented McGraw with a gold medal she had won in a Special Olympics wheelchair race, and he had a gift for her as well: an autographed advance copy of his new CD, which was to be released two weeks later.
At the end of her amazing wish, Taylor had several autographed souvenirs, photos and memories to take home. And as her hero sings, “The heart don’t forget something like that.”
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Congrats! I bet it was amazing!
- Lindsey 06/14/2007 11:08 -
This was so nice. It really touched me.
- Cheryl 06/24/2007 7:35 -
It's fantastic the way that the school was so happy for her! The construction paper red carpet sounds like a really cool touch. I hope that for the rest of her life she can stay as happy as she was at the concert!
- David 06/28/2007 19:50 -
Taylor, whatever you do don't let anybody ever get you down. You are a beautiful girl, always remember that.
- Carrie 05/31/2007 10:00 -
I had a sister that passed away a couple of years ago from Lupus, and she also had the opportunity to enjoy a day of happiness from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I wanted to write and say how much I enjoyed seeing that young girl smile like she did. If she is going through half the stuggles of day to day that my sister went through, and then a man that we all admire for his music and family life comes along and does something for someone he has never met...I just have to say my hats off to you Tim McGraw, from one man to another.
- Christopher 04/12/2007 15:22 -
Taylor is my daughter and I was lucky enough to have went on this trip with her. The joy that filled Taylor's eyes that day I will never forget. My daughter was the happiest little girl in the world that day, and to this day she conitnues to live out her wish. She watches the videos everyday of her and Mr. McGraw, and she knew every word to every song on his new cd within the first few days after receiving it. We realize that without the Make-A-Wish Foundation this wish for my daughter would never have come true, so we will always hold so much gratitude deep in our hearts for this organization.
Thank You, Kristi
- Kristi 04/11/2007 6:41 -
This story will make you cry, just to see this little girl's face and how happy it made her! Thanks Tim, you're a great man. Love to hear you sing here in Tennessee!!
- Mary 08/07/2007 17:36 -
I am so glad Taylor got her wish. I'm happy for her and hope she will never forget this!
- Riley 07/15/2007 21:17 -
What a wonderful wish, for a wonderful girl. I'm so happy that you got your wish. I saw Tim McGraw in a concert years ago, and it was amazing for me, but I bet it was better for you..a private concert!
Continue to do well with your health, and to make people everywhere smile, because that's what we did when we read your story, we all smiled.
- Cara 04/19/2007 12:48 -
Taylor, I'm very happy you got your wish! It must have been so wonderful to meet your idol. I hope you had a great time listening to your hero sing to you. Keep fighting, Taylor!
- Emily 07/31/2007 12:36 -
I have such an enormous amount of respect for the celebrities/sports figures that partner with Make-A-Wish. I know their schedules are busy etc., but the ones that help make 'THE' wish make all the difference to the child.
- Sherry 09/15/2007 15:56 -
I talked to Tim a little bit back and he told us about this little girl, he had tears in his eyes thinking about his number 1 fan. I think he was more excited and honored meeting her then she was meeting him.
Kano of Team Apocolypse Inc
- Kano of Team Apocolypse Inc 10/16/2007 2:19 -
She was one very lucky person. I was also born with spina bifida, plus I am a BIG country music fan. My one regret is that I never sent a message to the Make-A-Wish Foundation even when I was a child.
Make-A-Wish is one great foundation!
- Ken 09/21/2007 15:51 -
Cool wish! I am also a huge fan of his.
- Lauren 01/22/2008 16:41 -
I remember watching that on CMT that morning and I couldn't help but smile. Taylor is such a wonderful little girl and Tim McGraw is a talented man with a heart of gold. I am glad Taylor was able to get her wish.
- Angelika 12/14/2007 10:51 -
I'm so happy for you, I hope your wish inspired you to go on in life.
- Jennifer 12/07/2007 13:46 -
Taylor is my sister, and I wanted to let her know that if she keeps smiling the way she does, Santa won't have enough to give to her!
- David (Wish sibling) 11/30/2007 22:08 -
She is so pretty and lucky.
- Jackie 04/07/2008 9:32 -
Cool wish! He is also my idol and I also have spina bifida.
- Lauren 11/15/2007 16:43 -
My very best friend I knew since I was a day old died last year from leukemia. After reading this story I started crying it was so sad but then I stopped because when you think about i,t these stars must really have big hearts to fill a dream like this. I truly believe Make-A-Wish Foundation is the best organization because it makes little kids dreams they never thought could happen come true.
- Britney 10/08/2007 15:01 -
What an angel, she deserved this and all the happiness in the world! Taylor reading your story really puts things into perspective.We take so much for granted and can learn so much from you.Your story really touched my heart. Just know in your struggles what an inspiration you are, beautiful girl! My 3 year old nephew has a rare heart condition and is getting a wish granted in July. We are so grateful to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for this dream they are making happen for him and for all of the dreams they make come true for all of these deserving kids. We could learn so much from them, and I just want to thank you Taylor, for making me want to be a better person.
- Summer 04/25/2008 7:47
© 2006 Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America