BA DA BOOM

You know that commercial that has those 'priceless moments' -- well I had one the other night. My daughter called and said that Jerod was having his band concert and would I like to go and see it. WELL, HOLD ME BACK. Me go to one of my grandkids concerts. Don't think I've missed one yet. They range from someone singing in a choir, to a band concert. This was a band one -- the first of the season for 5th graders and the first ever for Jerod.

The music teacher / band leader had the students come out in groups according to their instruments. You know, horns, percussion, woods etc. They came out with huge smiles on their faces -- they were to stand quietly (and I mention this because it is very hard for a 10 year old to stand quietly) and enough time was given for the proud parents to take pictures. Darn, I forgot my camera and knowing my daughter I'll get a copy of the ones she took maybe sometime NEXT year. Just joking, well maybe not. ;o)

The students were in place, the band leader explained that this was the second time they had all played together -- the first time being 2 days before. He mentioned it may be a little bit of a bumpy performance and he was absolutely right -- it was priceless. He tapped the baton on the podium and the music, and I use that term with the deepest respect, began. I did recognize "Jingle Bells", I had great difficulty recognizing the other songs -- along with every one else who attended the concert. Trust me when I say there were a lot there. Parents, Grandparents -- I live in a small community but they are all about the children and very supportive of them.

Jerod was in the percussion section and there must have been at least 12 drummers drumming -- sounds like a song we all know -- any way his position was behind the BIG base drum. You know the one that would be about as tall as he is. It was on a stand and so from where I sat, and actually where anyone else sat, you couldn't see him. BUT, and you have to know Jerod, when a song was done -- two hands would go up in the air along with those drum sticks and they were Jerod's. Just tickled my funny bone. Even the band leader announced how enthusastic the percussion section was -- that end of it.

Those faces I could see were so intense when they played their priceless music. Cheeks puffing out as they blew into those musical instruments, arms moving to the beat of the song (drummers drumming) -- depending upon what the beat was, but it was an awesome perfromance. Some played on key, some did not. Some played in the right tempo, some did not. Again a priceless performance. They got a standing ovation from the audience. A proud and priceless moment.

Now the trip to and from the concert is a whole 'nother story. I have pulmonary hypertension and we have to be very careful when we go out into that cold evening weather -- the temp was in the mid teens. I covered my face, well nose and mouth to protect me from the elements, had my "just in case" bag with me; I was good to go.

Those of us with pulmonary hypertension have to be very careful. It is a rare disease and is life threatening and with no known cure at this time. My thoughts are with the research and trials that are going on, there is hope and that is what keeps me going. So as I have been known to say: SMILE ~ IT'S CONTAGIOUS.