There’s a lot to potentially write about; it’s been a wonderful year since I last posted. I had my “flour baby” and he’s still alive and doing pretty well, so I think I’m on track to pass my real-life home-education class (that is if I’m not graded on other “domestic duties”).
While there is a lot I could share on the first 9 months of Harry’s life and how that whirlwind of an experience has forever changed my life in the most positive of ways – I’m not going to. Instead, I was reminded recently of an experience I had in 7th grade that I’m looking to draw motivation/inspiration from.
In the world of middle school there are certain activities that everyone is involved in. Everyone seems to be good enough for sports and everyone seems to be somewhat trained to play 3-4 notes on an instrument (or sing relatively in tune) which was enough to get you enrolled in orchestra, band or choir. So, really about 90% of the 7th and 8th grade classes were enrolled in one of these three music choices.
My course was orchestra and I played the violin. I don’t know which is worse: kids trying to play string instruments or kids trying to play brass instruments? But I’ll tell you what band did have over orchestra…they marched. They marched and I was jealous.
Every spring that I can remember growing up in Spokane, I would hear the Ferris High School band marching through the streets of my neighborhood in preparation for the annual Lilac Festival Parade. It was exciting – all the neighbor kids would run out of their houses accompanied by their bikes, trikes and dogs - trailing behind the percussion section that was usually the last part of the band. It was exciting, and I always wanted to be a part of it.
Every year there was a Junior Lilac parade – it’s usually the week or two before the official big Lilac Festival Parade that features a number of floats and all the regional high school bands. This particular year during the Junior Lilac parade, I was downtown with my mom and happened to see a number of the middle school bands performing, including my school. My school seemed to keep coming and coming, almost wrapping around two – three blocks, since well, it had a majority of the school in it. I was mesmerized – I wanted to be in the band marching, but I couldn’t, because I was an orchestra member….besides, the opportunity was truly marching me by…right before my eyes.
Except! Every year, one lucky middle school was selected to march in the main parade and my school was picked. I remember seeing our name announced on the news – because Spokane news only reports the best – and thinking to myself, “This is it! This is my chance!” Now, how was I going to get myself into the band….
Well, the band seemed to have 5 parts to it and this is where the 7th grader logic came into play:
1. Very front: The school sign carriers. This is exactly what I needed to do – I could hold the sign of our school! However, this was an elite job – there were only 3 people for this job, and they were all upperclassmen…not going to happen.
2. Near front: The drill team. that wasn’t going to happen, considering I couldn’t even do a somersault
3. The middle: The band – I’m sure I could have pulled enough skill together to play three or so notes for one instrument…but considering the finagling I was already looking at, I figured that was not going to happen.
4. Toward the back: More drill team. Nope.
5. Last: The flag pole carriers. This…this, was my ticket – surely they could use another flag pole carrier?!
So that Monday, I rushed to the band room to introduce myself to the band teacher, Mrs. Bateman (?). She had no idea who I was. But, I made it clear that I would do AB-SOL-LUTELY ANYTHING she wanted if there was some way for me to march with the band that following weekend in the Lilac Parade. ANYTHING. After considering my plea for a few moments, she said something similar to, “well, maybe – but I could really use help wrapping some of these flag poles with lights after school – would you mind helping?” YES! I’d love to, I exclaimed and promptly came back after school to spend a few hours wrapping those poles. Upon completing that job Mrs. Bateman granted me my wish – I was to be a flag pole carrier the next weekend. And what a proud moment it was.
Dear Mrs. Bateman,
You have no idea the seed of determination you nurtured by allowing me to join “the band” that year. To me, I thought I was proving my worth by providing critical assistance in wrapping those marching poles with lights and thus earning an elite opportunity. When in reality – if the whole school was in the band already, what was adding one more individual - and to the most unnecessary position of all: the flag pole carrier? But, it didn’t matter to me and it has made all the difference in the world.
To this day, I can remember the thrill and excitement of knowing that I was going to march. And not only that, I reflect on my experience as a flag-pole carrier and tell myself, “I really can do anything.”
Dreams really do come true.
Thanks again,
Valerie Farnsworth (now Payette)
p.s. but please, please, call me val – I promise to wrap more flag poles if you do…
