Beech Tree News Network

SANS SOLO

Over the last week or so several people have accosted my wife and I, while we were out doing this and that around town. It seems they had something to share about the youngest member of our clan. All the statements were similar, things like “tell him he is doing a good job” or “he's got something, tell him to keep it up,” one of the comments went something like “that kid really blows!” All of them happened to be in regards to the musical instrument he plays, in his case, the trumpet. All the comments were made because, for the first time, he actually has a short featured spot, in this year's marching band competition and folks that know our family, wanted to share encouragement; it is greatly appreciated.

I admire those who are able to accomplish things I never would be capable of doing. I can not even make a sound come out of any instrument requiring breath being applied, let alone make it sound anything like music, yet our youngest almost makes it look easy. Now, I know otherwise, a lot of practice and hard work went into getting where he is at and a lot more will have to be done, to take it to the next level, which I hope he does. Of course we can't help but feel a measure of pride when hearing comments of praise regarding one of our offspring, as any parent would and I know my heart beats just a little faster when I watch him separate from the rest of the band, a moment before his featured part but I feel the most pride because I know it did not come easy for him. Like a lot of things in his life, there was a moment when he got it and then things took off, I remember walking past his room, just a little over a year ago and hearing some decent sounding music coming from within, I thought he was playing a C.D or something, to learn a new song but it turned out to be him. I knew full well that he had not sounded like that just a few short months prior, so I deduced that something finally “clicked” for him. He has been that way his whole life, either he gets it or he doesn't and unlike his sister, there is no steady progression and more or less even keel, it's either “got it!” or “forget it!”

Our eldest also accomplished something which made her family proud. This week a large envelope with some stately looking lettering arrived at our home. It was a diploma announcing that she had met the requirements necessary to receive a certain degree, at the end of her last semester. Now, she is not finished with school yet and even without a little coaxing from her dad, I believe she would have gone on and pursued a more advanced degree but I did encourage none-the-less, in no small part due to my own single biggest regret, not obtaining a higher degree myself. I do not want either of my children walking away from education early and even though our youngest may take a more unconventional approach, and our eldest a little longer one, that is fine, as long as they don't give up.

You may have noticed that the title to this particular column- Sans Solo- is a little play on words inspired by the Star Wars character -Hans Solo. I have seen a couple of the Star Wars movies and know most of the major plot lines and characters but I am not an over-the -top fan of the Star Wars saga. I fall more in line with The Star Trek fan base than the Star Wars genre, even though they are both science fiction, which is a favorite genre of mine. Don't even think about asking “what's the difference?” If you have to ask, you just don't get it. This week was the 50th anniversary of the original Star Trek series and like Elvis Presley it still adds fans every year. Star Wars is more about the classic battle of good versus evil, with an omnipresent “force” being sought out and manipulated in this battle, to be harnessed for the light or twisted for the dark (kind of sounds familiar doesn't it.) Star Trek has more to do with mystery and exploration, with respect and awe given to all forms of sentient life found along the way. Now you may understand why I identify with the Trekkie's more. I prefer mystery, poetry, exploration and a sense of awe, rather than an us versus them, violent based battle, during my own expedition into the depths of meaning in the universe.
The word -Sans- means without, absent or lacking, so to be, sans solo, means that no one is featured during a musical production, that would be a shame in my opinion, for it is almost always a highlight of the overall production. Every single one of likes to singled out and admired for a job well done, from time to time, it is just in our nature, part of being human but none of us are built to go through all of life doing it solo. We are also built to be a part of something bigger, a integral part, in each others lives, to be a family, sure with tighter bonds with our immediate family but also familial like bonds within community. It withers our spirits and souls to feel alone and isolated, left out or forgotten. A life lived in solo is lacking a lot, it is the reason why you can't truly be spiritual all on your own. Now, you either get that or you don't but hopefully someday, you'll touch upon the awesome mystery that we are all in this together and from that point on; life will never be the same. Let's make Dad proud!