The bandroom is quiet now. We just finished our first game of the year. There were some problems. There are things to worry about Monday. But here, in this silence- I'm so happy.
Tonight had so many of my favorite things. I wanted to make sure they were captured here.
I work with great, talented young people. I get to watch them grow up, and in marching band, I get to see the biggest changes.
I see freshmen on their first performances. They are struggling just to fit in and find the right notes. This is the first time a lot of them have performed a piece by memory for the general public. They are green. They are new. They're still kids.
In the same group are these other grown ups. Well, not quite. But the older kids set the tone. I love having them make this group important. It always floors me watching them lead. Selfishly, I watch them thinking how they reflect the best part of me. They grow into great people. And I love them for it.
Tonight, I had former students come back and watch the band. They came and said hello to their friends still in school. Some gave me hugs. All of them made me feel like a proud papa. I was so glad to watch them and am glad to have known them. Selfishly, I hope to be part of their great stories or part of what they today remember about high school.
Even on the toughest days of this job, I feel so blessed. I'm working my passion. Nothing wrong with that. I count myself in a lucky class. I graduated to be in school for the rest of my life and it has made my life feel full.
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