My Son Plays the Trombone...a mom's perspective.

As I write this piece I am sitting in a beautifully decorated Frank Lloyd Wright style studio apartment in Pittsburgh.  I just got back from taking a lovely walk to explore the neighborhood and now am enjoying a cup of coffee and some goodies that crossed my path at a local bakery.  There are rare moments like this in life when you can spend time in a beautiful place and have a few moments to write down your thoughts.  So here are mine for now.

I came to Pittsburgh on Thursday to spend a long week-end visiting with my younger son, John, and to get to see him perform his first concert as the new Principal of the River City Brass Band. To make it even sweeter, John was featured in a solo called Trombonology by Tommy Dorsey. As far as I was concerned, there was no one on that stage but John.  He was playing with passion, technique, and made connections with everyone in that beautiful music hall.  When he finished, the clapping roared from the audience and continued long after he returned to his chair.

 As those of you who know me and understand completely how I feel about my two sons, you can only imagine the emotions that were flying through my heart.  It has been awhile since I have been able to see John as he plays because when he performs with the Opera, he is in the pit and all I can see is part of his arm as he manipulates his slide.  But, you can believe, I have stared at that arm for many performances and still experienced joy.

As I watched John perform the other night, my mind raced back in time to when I remember taking him to the middle school to look at mouthpieces to decide which instrument he would play. This was a simple step...it's what you do as a mom when your child wants to try something.  I thought band would be great, but never in my wildest dreams at that moment would have thought that this was his first step to what he would be doing as his career and his passion, and taking an incredible journey; a journey filled sometimes with success, sometimes frustration and disappointment. Yet, then there were the unforgettable moments with artists, orchestras, composers and valuable friendships.

I was thinking about it, and except for his performances in Europe, up until the time he left for graduate school, I could probably count on maybe one hand when I was not there.  This goes back to middle school band, marching at football games, UIL competitions, school concerts, All-State performances and concerts at SMU.  After he left to live in New York I was there for performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and his Senior  Graduate Recital shared with family.  I was there for his first professional performance as Principal for the Pittsburgh Opera and several operas following up to now. So, I guess you can say that I have indirectly traveled this journey with John, and the coolest part is that it just keeps going; thus, here I am in Pittsburgh.

Music plays a major role in our family and the seed was planted by my mother many years ago as a little girl when she would get to take a piano lesson for a quarter if she could save one.  I have a picture at home of John at the piano with Mother and I plan to post it on this blog.  My mother would have been 100 years old this past May.  I wish she could know how her music influenced my children and me. Well, who knows, maybe she does...

I can only hope that I can support the legacy that she put in place.

Anyway....those are my thoughts.  I am one proud Mom today and my soul bursts with joy for what I know is ahead for both of my sons.  I am truly blessed.

My Feet Were In France!

Our entire clan!

We will remember always.

It is hard to believe that it is mid September and I have not written a post about my fabulous trip to France.  It seemed as if the summer was really dragging as I waited our time of departure on August 30th.  There were actually 16 of us who initially knew each other who went on the Viking River Cruise from Paris to Normandy, with amazing stops along the way.  It was interesting how the Viking people got us to Paris with some of us flying through Chicago, some beginning in Atlanta, some going through Boston, etc.  The travel home got even more interesting!  One of us left Paris at dawn, flew to Germany, then Chicago and finally Dallas.  At least, I think that was her route.

However, as confusing as the coming and going might sound, the river cruise itself was beyond expectations for me.  The beauty and peace of cruising the Seine River is really hard to describe.  I was constantly wanting to pinch myself to make sure that I was not experiencing a wonderful dream.  So since words are hard to come by, I am going to share some of my pictures.  Those of you who follow me on Facebook will recognize some of them.  But, this blog is my way of keeping my memories together so I am going to post a lot of them here.

Our program director said something that will always stay with me.  She said, "Travel is the only thing you can spend money on and get richer."  This is so true.  This incredible trip to a beautiful part of Europe with dear friends, the joy of making new friends, and the opportunity to experience the beauty of God's grace is something this lady will treasure as long as I am able to remember.

France's version of the Lady welcoming us to Paris!

Monet Gardens

Monet Gardens

Rouen, France, one of my favorite excursion trips.

How would you like to go to church here every Sunday?

The French definitely believe in drinking their wine and we certainly supported them as often as was appropriate!

There are no words...

In this picture my feet were in Normandy.

This little guy was waiting on us when we got back to our room one afternoon.

It was such fun to cruise and chill out on our beds at the same time.

Buddies giving the Lake Vista Wave!  We were neighbors on the same street over 40 years ago.

Janie and Gary:  Love. Them.

Empty bottles after one of our fabulous 3 to 4 course meals.  They kept pouring and we couldn't be rude and refuse!

Montmartre....one of he reasons I returned to Paris.  I missed it the first trip but made up for it this time.

Not the best picture but I wanted you to see these cobblestone streets which were everywhere!  Murdered my feet for weeks!!

I was actually in the gardens near the Louvre when I took the picture of this famous ferris wheel.

This is my roomie for the week, Donna Williams.  I got to take care of her after a pick pocket decided he needed her IPhone and credit card more than she did!  I call him The Snake!!

I know I should know the name of this building.....

Just one example of flowers that were everywhere in France.  Temperatures were mostly in the 70s except for one or two warm days.

I got up early one morning, had a real French croissant and coffee, and went up on the deck as we cruised.  Priceless!

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The water was like glass.

I would love to own one of these.

Example of peace and tranquility.

Our Captain!

Special party night with smiles from everybody.

Marsel....we almost adopted him and brought him to the U.S.

I think Napoleon was buried here.  As you can tell, I was not focusing on the French history.

Oh, yeah.  This tower was not a disappointment anytime, day or night!  It just took your breath away.

One of my favorite pictures taken at Monet Gardens.

I took this picture for Salome.  This was inside a church in Rouen.

Just look at that!  Look at those clouds!

Pretending to be French!

Of course, we got us an ice cream macaroon!

Our wish was their command!  Spoiled us like crazy.

Four beauties at Omaha Beach.  

We gathered sand from Omaha Beach and put it in little bottles to take home.

Another one of my favorite pictures because of all the textures shown.

Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Our own veteran, John Bailey, was honored here at the cemetary.  We had tears.

Yep, there are my feet!

Our room was on the second level.

Notre Dame in Paris.  

My international office.

More beauty....

Just look at the reflection in the water!  I should be there!

I spent a lot of time here.

Where were my feet?  At the Louvre!

Such a touristy picture!

Creme Brule...every opportunity possible!

Adorable cruise director from Belgium.

Having fun with the captain and his assistant captain.

You knew I would find a piano!

Food was always available on this trip!

My girlie friends on the Hop On- Hop Off bus in Paris on our last full day.

The famous Moulin Rouge....no, I didn't get to go there.

Hello!!!

Couldn't ever get tired of looking at this masterpiece.

Do you know what monument this is?

We had fun but our waiter really wasn't happy with our English!

Gorgeous at night, especially when it twinkled on the hour.

I was standing below the tower.  We later traveled up to the second level.

Who says you can't get older and still be cute?

I absolutely love this picture I took with my Iphone!