The End and a New Beginning

They’ve been friends for years.  Two of them met in middle school  and they connected with the other two in band camp before their freshman year of high school. They survived band camps, strange musical productions and  hours of bus rides.  They are “The Four Musketeers.”

I’m not good at many things (this has been reaffirmed to me this week!) but I am a good aunt. I work hard at being a good aunt. That means that I’ve sat thru lots of events I may not have wanted to, because of my niece and  nephews.  One of the things I’ve been around for years was Band. Both my nephews were in the band and Josh  met Cameron in middle school band.  They clumped up with Derrick and Zach in high school.  There were lots of times when the four of them ended up at downstairs at my sister’s house, or in the car, or at dinner. . .  There were times I felt like I had four nephews in the Band instead of just one! 

As they graduated and went to college or to work, I wondered if they’d still stay friends or drift apart. For a while, Zach drifted away, but he’s come back around again.

Last weekend, the four of them spent the weekend together, in Georgia.  It was sort of like their last hurrah. Cameron will never be just “theirs'” again. 

Last night Josh came home and said Cameron was spending the night here. Alli had decided she was staying in their apartment with her girls and he had to get out. So, 3 of the 4 played video games and stayed here last night. Another, one last time.

Today, Cameron got married. It  was a lovely wedding. As Alli’s dad walked her down the aisle, the four of them, along with Cameron’s other friend, played the Bridal Chorus on their instruments. It was incredibly touching. 

Through the years, there’s been lots of pictures.  Sometimes, all four of them, sometimes two, sometimes three. Others have wandered in and out.   Birthdays, prom, band concerts, just fooling around. 

I just had to have one more today!

Why I LOVE the Olympics

I absolutely ADORE the Olympics. If school is in session while the Olympic Games are going on, I always have my students watch as an assignment.  Except for 2004, when we had no electricity thanks to Hurricane Charley, my family watched the Opening Ceremonies right on to the end, as much as we can.  My Aunt Mary Ellen taped the Opening Ceremonies for me and we watched them later!! My nephews learned in 4th grade that to write an essay, you have an introduction, three points and a conclusion. So, here are my three reasons why I love the Olympics.

First, the Olympics make me proud to be an American.  I don’t care if we win or lose (that’s a lie- I always want us to win!)  but I love it when people represent us well.  When we do win, there’s NOTHING like seeing our flag rise up (higher than the rest) and hearing our National Anthem.  It just gives me chills.  I love it when the athletes sing.  (Note to US Olympic Committee – before you give athletes their pass and their credentials, make sure they can sing the words to the National Anthem PROPERLY! That’s a pet peeve of mine!)

Next, I admire athletic ability. I have NONE, but I do appreciate the skills that I see.  I have the utmost respect for athletes who come knowing that they most likely won’t come close to winning a medal, but they come to represent their country anyway. I love good sportsmanship and  I admire the hours and hours of sacrifice spent in training.  Even though I can’t play anything, I can appreciate the heartbreak of defeat or the heart-pounding thrill of victory. I love that we all get to share in that!   I love the stories that they share with us, and I’m not ashamed to admit, sometimes I cry!

Last, (see, I used transitional words!) I love that our country truly is a melting pot, salad bowl, whatever you want to call it. So many countries have people who all look the same and their names all sound the same. We don’t!  When you look at our athletes, we’ve got some of everything. We’ve got blondes, brunettes, redheads! We’ve got names that are very “American" sounding, and some names that could be from any other country in the world.  What a country!!

The Olympics! Just the sound of it makes me smile. Even though the Games only started on Friday, I’m thoroughly enjoying them. I’m hoping for that one moment that will stay in my mind forever, like Mary Lou Retton's perfect 10 vault, and Kerry Strug's crumbling to the the floor, and then vaulting AGAIN! These are the moments that we love.  Don’t' you love the Olympics??