There I was, looking for a manila folder and in the back of my tan file cabinet drawer was a file that listed two of my song titles: war is sweet, and i said nothing.
It was curious to see this title so I opened the (nearly empty) folder to find this thank-you card:
The sketched artwork is a Lancer from Lincoln Jr. High/IB World School, where both of my children attended for their Junior High School years, and freshman year of High School.
While my son, Zach, was a freshman, I was hired to work in the music department of this school working with Band, Choirs and Orchestra.
This note, however, is from when Zach’s older sister, Kaitlin, was a freshman, because when I opened the note I found her gratitude wishes amongst those of her classmates:
She wrote:
“Steve,
THANK YOU for sharing your message with us!
The songs were both beautiful & powerful, & I
appreciated being able to reinforce the words & ideas behind “I Didn’t Speak Up” through music.
That’s always a good way for students to understand an important message.
Colleen Conrad :)”
These kinds of thank-you cards are probably like many that we all have “had to write” to some guest who visited our various school classrooms during our time as students.
I can recall being moved to write these several times, but never again thinking about them once I’d added my words and signature.
I don’t remember if I ever thought about if the recipient would read our messages, or if they would really matter in the larger scheme of things.
Well, today, this was just the message I needed to hear!
A thank-you from the past, from students who are now all in their late 20s. All thanking me for helping them ask questions about what they assume to be true.
I am especially touched by Lianna’s words:
“The music was a definate change in the way I’ll think”
Lest we think the little that we do matters, we can (and do) small things, with great love!
-Steve
(a little more hopeful and inspired as I go back to the little things I am doing today….)