Influence

Amazing how influence works!  When I recall Jr. Hi school, there was one great influence on me, in the 8th grade.  Ed (9th grade) played clarinet, and organized a small, early-morning band to meet in the band hall and work through circus marches, K. L. King marches, Sousa marches, anything challenging.  His clarinet, my tenor sax, a baritone, drums, and a bass.  Not much band, but great fun.

Traveling to an out-of-town game on the band bus, Ed got out the first chromatic harmonica I'd ever seen, and launched into "Under the Double Eagle".  As he bounced through the tune, all quick and incredible, everybody listened.  Amazed.

Next Monday, the early-morning band took on a new intensity, played much more difficult music, challenged ourselves.  It was a short, but influential moment in my life, and in the lives of others.  Ed went on to become a band director, Roy played bass all the way into the top-of-the-line Navy band, and all of us enjoyed the music.

Ed never knew that for all these years, the whole feel of the early-morning band has been a definer of excellence for several of us.  A big deal?  Only in impact!

Every one of us has moments of interaction that can have influence on someone;  doesn't matter whether anyone thinks that moment is a big deal...... only matters if it becomes a big deal for one individual.