Sound It Out

So today, I felt like hearing some sounds of my youth.... which meant I wanted to hear some band music. Thank goodness for youtube. I was feeling a little sad, and wanted to be uplifted. So, I pulled up youtube, typed in Ashland Park Overture, and crossed my fingers. Literally, within seconds, there were hundreds of videos of high school bands playing this very song. I clicked on the first one I saw and was instantly drawn back to memories od my youth, and my father. My Daddy passed away July 5th of this year.

I started High School Band late, 10th grade actually. Let me tell you first, I SUCKED. Bad. But, my parents, who by this time were already in their 60s didnt care. My mom pushed me to practice every day and daddy wanted to hear taps, every night after dinner (much to the dismay of the neighbors and the neighborhood dogs). Pretty soon, I would be playing every single chance I got, and absorbing as much music as my veins could stand.

The summer of 1995 was my first band camp. I was ridiculousy bad at that too, but no one ever knew. I marched across that field, as if it were my very own. Soon enough, Friday night half times became my time to shine. My parents, tho, had the biggest thrill; or so I think. My two nieces were in band as well, so this truly became a family affair. My sister would cart us back and forth to practice, and then when I got my licesnce, I would. Daddy was a school bus driver, so he drove us to every single away game.

My parents never left the sidelines. It was such a moment of pride for me and them at every half time. I was their little shining star. I guess my nieces were too. My senior year, however, would hold my biggest accomplishments to date. I became first chair trumpet that year, and was assistant drummajor as well. I thought I had really arrived. I wanted to do as much as I could in that halftime show, as it was my last. I even twirled rifle during the drum feature; I was on fire. Senior year also sucked, because right in the middle of marching season, my best friend moved away. The band, however, played on.

But soon enough, I would gradute and go on to college band. My parents couldnt some see me for those games were too far away and mom and dad werent in the greatest of health. It was hard not having someone there to watch you. Weird, I know. I remember the night we had the performance of a lifetime. It was at the state marching contest for high school bands. There were over 150 bands there that night, watching us after they competed that day. Right as we were going on the field, I turned to my friend,Sarah and said I sure wish my mom and dad were here watching me. Just as we were starting to perform, Sarah yells to me across 5 yards and says "Matthew, I'm watching you". I had the performance of my life. Someone was witness to it.

So, now back to youtube. I watched and listened, and it literally opened the floodgates for me, both memory and tears. My parents never missed anything I did, and for that I am forever grateful. I am so thankful that I can have the music of my youth to energize those memories back into play, letting me relive them. If you have someone special in your life, whether its a child or a best friend, be INVOLVED. Bear witness to what they experience. Help them feel proud of the person that you appreciate.