A tough day...

Today was a tough day for our Oswego family. While I didn’t know Nicole Larsen well, seeing the amount of students come in to my band class completely devastated told me all I needed to know; this was a woman who loved her students, and in turn was deeply loved and respected by those same kids. I absolutely love my job, but my favorite thing about it is the kids. Seeing these kids in tears was absolutely heartbreaking, so we cried together, tackled the subject, and did what we do best, played music with our friends.
After school, we had marching band practice. Some kids went home early; it was a hard day, and we happily sent them home to deal with the emotions that only they know how to handle. Most kids stayed and we had a great rehearsal. What floored me was at the end of rehearsal, there was a bunch of equipment left out because we forgot to put people in charge of bringing it back. Some of the same kids that were bawling during concert band asked if we needed any help bringing the stuff back, then dragged it all back before tending to their own emotions. Band kids truly are the best kids.
There is a song that I turn to a lot. While I’ve certainly listened to it while upset or despondent, I think of it more as something I turn to when I need something truly beautiful. John Coltrane’s “Naima” is just that; beauty in audio form. I can close my eyes and cry at its beauty while I’m happy as a clam. So to my students, my band family, I invite you to close your eyes and let it’s beauty wash over you. We love you and are here for you in whatever capacity you need us to be. #bandfamily #pantherstrong