Eagle!

This morning, in a ceremony in our church, my second son received his Boy Scout Eagle Award.

Surrounded by his church family, his parents and members of his troop, he was challenged to

remember to uphold the honor and responsibility of the principles and values of Scouting.

He was reminded that he is to be an example for others and that he should always undertake his citizenship

to America with seriousness and dedication. He was reminded to be a leader and lift up every task that he does to God and to the service of his fellow human beings.  He was challenged to always be among those who dedicate their hearts and hands to the common good.

He was reminded that to Eagle is a beginning, not the end.

He was thus challenged by some very significant men in his life, who have taken the time to teach him and most importantly give him stellar examples of what an exceptional man is.

Part of the challenge was read by his brother, an Eagle before him, a loving sibling and an excellent example.

The other challenges were read by men who have dedicated time and talent , some of them, long after their own sons have completed Scouting's path, men of true honor and unselfish devotion who have spent time with my boy and shared themselves and who deeply care about him. For these who have held him to high standards, shown him the tasks  and helped him find his way there, I am truly, deeply grateful.

To his father, who during his time as Scoutmaster, packed along a little boy and who has steadfastly encouraged the skills and values that make an Eagle Scout, who taught  him how to fix anything with ingenuity and duct tape...

...who stood on the bridge that leads to manhood and extended his hand to his son... Job well done!

Band Season

Way back in 1995, I was dragged, kicking and screaming to band...

My daughter tried out on an instrument without so much as discussing this with her parents.
(She always was strong willed and pretty certain of what she wanted!)
And for two years, we continued to do both pre-pro level ballet AND band, including a year of marching band. When you add two little boys who were playing soccer and were on swim team, it was a 'live in the car' kind of schedule.

Anyway, sometime in there, I, personally 'joined' the amazing team called band parents.
And for a LOT of years now, from July to November, marching band takes over our schedule, if not our lives. (I'm smiling here... it's not a bad thing!)

We have had some adventures. We've worked hard and laughed and cried, gotten up early and stayed up... well till it was early again. My children have had the privilege of some amazing band teachers and directors, a diversity of close friends and constructive activities. Their knowledge and skills have dumbstruck me at times. They've learned self discipline and leadership skills. The music has softened the edges for my hard hitting academic kids in the nicest of ways.
They've learned life lessons far beyond the scope that I would have ever imagined.

And for all of this, I've been on the sidelines.
Yes, I've worked...
But I've gained more than I have given.
I've watched ... my children, their friends, their instructors...
From flutes and piccolos, trumpets and now percussion,
the seasons have had a rhythm and a melody that have so enriched our lives.

And so we find ourselves a week out of our first competition.
The old familiar rhythm is there... practice (which never ends with a drummer), rehearsals, football game Friday's, competition Saturdays...
For me, fitting uniforms, scheduling chaperones, applying band-aids...
Late Friday nights at Waffle House...

To our old familiar rhythm comes a new director... young and full of energy and enthusiasm.
I wish him well and promise to stand alongside for support.
I wish him a long and rewarding career and will hope and pray that we're enough of a challenge for him without doing him in...

Another band season...

I know how short this time shall last.

I have watched two other children, along side hundreds of their friends, pass through this...
I know that one day, noone will drum on every level surface in my house...

I know how quiet it will be.

So, I will watch and take it in and save up these moments ...

Nothing else that I can do right now is more important than that.

Ahem...

Daisy, darling... where did my beautiful basil go?

"well, if you must know, mom, it was awful hot this afternoon, and the planter, deep down had nice cool dirt that just called my name... You know, this planter is such a nice fit for a chubby little beagle and no other place on a hundred acres fits my needs so nicely today. I've had the sweetest basil infused dreams this afternoon. I love you so much. I will wiggle and wag my tail in return for the small amount of aggravation that I cause."

Carry on Daisy... carry on...