I got the privilege of enjoying a 6th grade band concert this week. I'll be honest, I don't miss band concerts, although its better now that I don't have to be on the stage.

These kids that I watched were so confident, so proud. The clarinet players especially, with their puffy cheeks and frequent squeaking. (Did my clarinet squeak that much in sixth grade?) Watching them made me think of my days as seventh chair in beginning band on up through pep band.

You know, parents, you used to tell me that someday I would be glad for all that time you made me spend in pep band. I'm still waiting for that day. But I do have to say that I am thankful for my fellow clarinet player who sat next to me all those years. Jami, thank you for playing well enough to cover up my squeaking. And thank you for always taking the hard part. And for sitting closer to the front of the stage (or bleachers) so I could hide. It would not have been the same without you.

I am so glad that those days are over.