I remember dreaming about my future…When I was in middle school, I knew I was going to be a band director. I dreamed of starting my career teaching, getting married, having children, and spending my life in the Houston area. When I was in college, my dream shifted. I was close to pursuing a master’s degree in orchestral conducting. It was a big change in the dream I had as a teenager. But things changed again. I ended up teaching right out of college at the age of 21. I loved every minute of it. The one thing that remained constant was the music.
My first son was born and diagnosed with Severe hemophilia and in an instant my life changed. When hemophilia came into my life, music was no longer the central focus. My son and his health were my priority. Eventually, a new career dropped into my lap that took me away from the classroom, but music was still important. I continued to keep busy as a freelance oboist. After my second son was born and diagnosed with the same disorder, my husband answered his calling to full-time and eventually ordained ministry. We left Texas for New Mexico and began a new chapter in our lives…and music was left behind.
Music has always been an integral part of my life and as I move into the third act of my life realizing my calling to ministry with a new career, I realize that I need to reawaken my love for playing the oboe and English horn. I picked up my oboe and played a piece with my husband and while I was playing this old, favorite arrangement, my years of playing at First Baptist Houston and St. Pius V came flooding back. Making music with amazing musicians, hearing an arrangement with just the right touch of the keys by none other than Phyllis Harris and the joy and laughter that surrounded me in the pit of the Christmas Pageant every year warmed my heart.
It is time to bring back the music into my life.
Today I Am Thankful For:
- Claudia Dempsey
- My first oboe
- fajita feast for Sunday lunch
- Deep Blue
- new mocassions
