This afternoon I find myself exactly where I want to be…and thus I am grateful. I am sitting here, at my computer, with the windows open and the fresh breeze is blowing through the house along with the musical sounds of the WMB. In my bathtub are several band jackets, soaking in salt water. In my washer, several more are being cleaned. And my dryer is tumbling even more. This is a BIG week for Miss Reed and the WMB and I have been there. I know what it takes to prepare for competition and the stress of every detail that weighs on your shoulders. I know the fatigue of having rehearsal every day and sleeping very little because you can’t stop thinking about musical parts, drill, props, parent help, etc. I know the fear that comes over you as you play back every minute of the past 2 months hoping and praying that your band is prepared…and the possible feeling of regret of things missed along the way. I know the pressure of expectations from the band, the parents, the faculty, the community…And, I know the looks in the eyes of the students…those who have done this many times before and those who don’t have a clue yet.
But here I sit; content to be on this side today. I am thrilled to be cleaning uniforms for my son’s band. I am extra blessed to be able to hear them rehearse from the comfort of my living room. But above all of this, I am honored that he has the opportunity to march with the WMB under the direction of Miss Reed. She is a phenomenal teacher and director. She loves these kids every day in the way that she prepares them to perform. I am so fortunate to be able to see marching band from both angles – and I know that Miss Reed is doing an amazing job! I thank her for the hours that she spends with my son…and the hundreds more that she spends in preparation away from him. I thank her for the sacrifices of friends and family that I know she makes every day in order to commit herself to the band. And most of all, I thank her for allowing me to be a part of this program as a parent.
I pray blessings on Miss Reed as she leads the WMB for the remainder of this season. And as they head to Lebanon this week, I say “Go, Fight, Win Wildcats!”
