Chances are you've already heard about the terrible flooding that hit here in Pensacola late Tuesday night. If not, you can read about it here. Thankfully, my wife and I both had an unusual Tuesday evening at home. One or both of us are normally at rehearsal at Tuesday nights and likely would have been stuck wherever we were or stuck in our car somewhere along the road after trying to get home. We also were fortunate enough to have no damage to our home or property. However, many were not so fortunate.
Our church, Olive Baptist, runs a School of Performing Arts where both my wife and myself teach quite a few students. We were saddened to find out that the church suffered from significant flooding, and the music suite received some of the worst of it. Yesterday morning, we went over to see how bad it was and to help start the clean up process. Fortunately, none of the pianos were damaged, but we have had to cancel lessons for the rest of the week to try and repair the flood's to the building. We also have had to cancel our big spring recital that was supposed to be this Saturday.
I was also deeply saddened to find out that one of my students and his family lost everything they had in the flood. Their entire subdivision was under water, with most families fleeing to their attics and waiting for boats to come rescue them. Unfortunately, I'm sure we'll be hearing more and more stories like this over the next couple of days.
Even in the midst of this tragedy, I'm ashamed at how easy it is to get upset over little things. We had an ice storm earlier this year that already gave most music teachers in our area more makeup lessons than they could handle, and now we are looking a lot more right at the end of the school year. It is also really disappointing to have to cancel a recital for which you and your students have worked so hard. But each time I look at a picture like the ones above, I remember how blessed I am to be alive and to have my family and home safe.
My wife and I often laugh at how one-dimensional I can be. I work, eat, and breath music. There isn't much else to me. At times, I think this distorts my view of the world around me. This storm has helped me see my minor inconveniences and disappointments in a healthier perspective. Instead of complaining, I will thank God for his protection and blessings and I will work in whatever way I can to help those who are in need.
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him." - Psalm 28:7
Our church, Olive Baptist, runs a School of Performing Arts where both my wife and myself teach quite a few students. We were saddened to find out that the church suffered from significant flooding, and the music suite received some of the worst of it. Yesterday morning, we went over to see how bad it was and to help start the clean up process. Fortunately, none of the pianos were damaged, but we have had to cancel lessons for the rest of the week to try and repair the flood's to the building. We also have had to cancel our big spring recital that was supposed to be this Saturday.
I was also deeply saddened to find out that one of my students and his family lost everything they had in the flood. Their entire subdivision was under water, with most families fleeing to their attics and waiting for boats to come rescue them. Unfortunately, I'm sure we'll be hearing more and more stories like this over the next couple of days.
Even in the midst of this tragedy, I'm ashamed at how easy it is to get upset over little things. We had an ice storm earlier this year that already gave most music teachers in our area more makeup lessons than they could handle, and now we are looking a lot more right at the end of the school year. It is also really disappointing to have to cancel a recital for which you and your students have worked so hard. But each time I look at a picture like the ones above, I remember how blessed I am to be alive and to have my family and home safe.
My wife and I often laugh at how one-dimensional I can be. I work, eat, and breath music. There isn't much else to me. At times, I think this distorts my view of the world around me. This storm has helped me see my minor inconveniences and disappointments in a healthier perspective. Instead of complaining, I will thank God for his protection and blessings and I will work in whatever way I can to help those who are in need.
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him." - Psalm 28:7