I Swear I Only Blinked Once!!

One of  the best things about my job is being a part of a student's growing up.  Because I teach music lessons and not music in schools, I am not limited to only one or two or a few years of the students.  Often, I have the students for a longer time.  Not always, there are many that will take lessons for a couple years and then try a different activity or sports.  Why not? If they have the option and ability to try, then try.  Yes, I think music is really important, however, I also think that kids should try new things and expand their horizons also.  I do agree that if your parents paid for a season of something like little league, then yes, you should play the entire season and if you do not like, do not sign up the following year.  

I would say, though, many of my students were students for at least 5 or so years.  It has really been wonderful to be able to at least teach a tiny bit again.  I have not been able to teach full time in about 17-18 years now.  The Brain Fog and other concentration/focus issues I have from Fibromyalgia is the reason why.  However, I can teach a very teeny tiny bit and for that I am very grateful.  I have really been lucky as far as students and their parents, the majority of them have been wonderful.  when you have students parents who really support their children, it gives their children such confidence, something that is so important.  

This year will be a bit of a hard year at times as one of my students, Q, is a senior.  Already!!!!!  Seriously!!!  How did this happen so fast??  Miss Q was in 1st grade and 6 years old when she and her mom came to meet me before they signed up for lessons. We three clicked right away.  Q has been such a joy to work with and to watch grow up.  She began with singing and then added saxophone.  She was in her school band.  One year, the school did not have a band teacher so that was when she began taking lessons with me.  Q decided to continue even after she was able to go back to band class.  She and I have had a lot of fun, and a lot of giggles too.  Like I said,  I only blinked once!

I can teach for a while before the fog closes in from fibromyalgia, then I need to rest.  After that I can teach for a little less time than the first time before I need to rest.  It does depend on the energy levels for the day.  Mornings are not a time to ever really teach.  I am usually just not with it enough to know much.

I think I need to just keep my eyes wide open this entire school year!  No blinking allowed.