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Thank You, Teachers

Today I am going to do a ‘throw back’ to 2022, when I asked my readers to share a time when they were given something special that meant a great deal to them. This one is provided by a friend from years past. He sings beautifuIly. He takes us there when his teacher made a difference in his life.

In His Own Words

“I was a sophomore in high school and feeling very unsure of myself when she walked into the classroom. Immediately she took command of the class and demonstrated that she and only she was in charge.  It was obvious that she was accustomed to excellence. She put together some of the finest choirs and choral groups I’ve ever heard.  She also was one of the finest vocalists I have ever heard even after 45 years.  She played the piano and showed her competence. The way that she approached her directing made you want to trust her implicitly.  She was one of the first persons who ever helped me believe that I might have a talent or ability that could make a difference to somebody and affect their life in a positive way. 

“She showed me that with proper technique and hard work I could develop my ability in a way that could help me feel like I had value possibly for the first time in my life.  Mind you, it wasn’t because I had a great voice.  My voice was mediocre at best.  However, she showed me how to sustain a note and present a song in a way that could connect with the listener.  She taught me to see things in a bigger way.  A note was not just a note.  It had a shape and she taught me how to hit it with a full tone at the upper part of that note maintaining a tone and pitch that allowed me to go from note to note and sing the phrase precisely without sliding up to the note or singing under the pitch. 

“She showed me how to use crescendos and diminuendos vocally in a way that added emotion to the piece that I was singing so that it could engage the person listening on a personal level.  She taught me diction and projection and so many other things vocally, but she did so much more.  She taught me to project confidence and helped me to believe in myself in a way that I never had before.  She taught me to carry myself in a way that made others believe that I was competent even when I was feeling a little uneasy on the inside. 

“She also showed me what it meant to have a passion for something and compassion for people.  She took time with me outside of regular class time to help me become better as a vocalist, a performer and ultimately as a person.  She showed me my potential and helped me get a vision of how I could reach that potential.  She also gave me opportunities to develop my ability and encouraged me to participate in opportunities like solo ensemble festivals and summer honor music school that would help me grow in my abilities and hone my craft.  Now, more than 40 years later I still use many of the things that she instilled in me and I try to pass some of those same things on to others. At that time, most people saw her as just a high school choir teacher. 

“This week, as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week I want to thank all you teachers out there who give a part of yourselves to your students.  Who help them see and realize their potential and then help them strive to achieve that potential.  You are a special kind of person and even when you don’t feel like you are, you are appreciated.  I wish I could have communicated to a high school choir teacher named Mrs. Wendy Ross how much she was appreciated and I hope I can communicate to every teacher who reads this that you also are very appreciated in a way that causes you to never doubt that fact.  If you are a teacher on any level to any age group, you are special and though it seems like such a small thing to say, I want to tell you thank you for all that you do.”

😊 Virgil 5-5-22

We All Have Something To Give

Virgil says it well. In fact, he shows us via our mind’s eye what it is to demonstrate the gift of caring that reaches into another person in a meaningful way. I’ve heard Virgil sing. God has given him a unique, beautiful and penetrating voice. I loved hearing him sing for many years. In fact, some thirtyish years before I learned of this story. Teachers have a unique place by being the present person for many students. Most of us have a way we can bring the joy of personhood as a gift to someone who needs it. Let God use you, and He will. He will bring miracles in unique and unperceived ways. Trust Him to do this for you. You’ll be glad you did. You might even share your story with this group. We will be encouraged if you do.

Thank you, Virgil.

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I.B. Ray Brumbaugh

My father: I.B. Ray Brumbaugh.

A Year Ago

My father, Ray Brumbaugh, passed away a year ago. He was 93. Later today my siblings and I are going to talk via telephone. We remember my father for what he was, how he lived, the gifts that he gave, his kindnesses and helpfulness. His tender heart. I’ve thought a lot about his life. He was a farmer with a high school education, but he was a man who lived his life well.

Of course, Dad didn’t see it that way. He did the job, and he did it well. He picked a good wife, who also did it well. He gave, and she gave. They both gave of themselves to make the marriage work. She was eighteen and he was twenty-one when they married. Soon after, he entered the Naval Reserves. Us kids came along at about the same time. All five of us kids made a full and busy life. We were all loved and cherished.

Work Comes First

Dad taught us to work hard, and we did. He expected us to do our best, and we learned to do a job well. I think we worked hard, at least it seemed that way to me. But I didn’t question it. He kept a log of our work, which we were paid at the end of the season…into the bank account. When Dad complimented our work or something we did, we knew we had earned it. He was a man of few words back in the day, but those words mattered. He was growing more than crops and trees, he was growing us to be careful, cautious, gracious, and capable adults.

You don’t give your parents a lot of thought when you are growing up. But later on, you realize what they gave you. I remember talking to my dad near the end of his life. He sat there thinking over his life. He said, “We had hard times and good times, and many hills to climb, but it’s been a good life.” Then he got serious and quiet. His voice hushed, and he went on say, “except for Lois.” He shook his head and his grief was still live. He looked at me. We both were quiet, saying nothing. He could never mention Lois after she left us (Check my posts in Sept./or with her name).

Here’s Where His Wisdom Took Root

Dad was a great man for telling stories with meanings. He caught the interesting things that people don’t notice. That is something I share from my dad. He paid attention to the reason for the why you did the thing, not just doing the thing. He was a teacher, besides being a father I learned a lot from. I learned to give something, whatever it was, my best effort. I learned to not give up even when it’s hard. I learned to try my best, and then some. I learned to listen before speaking (and this wasn’t easy for me), and to consider my words before speaking.

I’ve thought a lot about my dad. There are many words I could use to describe him (kind, helpful, hard working, giving, careful in speech, truthful, loving, handsome, brave, and so forth). But there is one word I think says it best. Honor. My did lived his life with honor. He was an honorable man. He just was honorable. He didn’t try to be that way, he just was that way. When he said something, he meant it. He wouldn’t say something unless it was worth saying. I have been glad that my father was this way. He stood by his words.

I Hope I’m Like My Dad

Now that I’m writing about my dad and saying a few of the many things I could say about him, I am reminded that he would rather I didn’t say anything. My folks were that way. They didn’t want much said about the way they lived or the things they did. I get it. I think it is wise to be like they were. Let your actions speak louder than your words. Let your words and actions speak the thoughts of your heart and mind. Keep your word. Speak the truth. Honor your parents. Do your best. Be kind. Be thoughtful. Be careful. Help others. Think before you speak. Keep confidences. Try your hardest and best. There are so many…

If you knew my dad, I hope this blog post brings him close for a minute. He was a good man. I was lucky to have such a wonderful father. It’s been nice to think of him again.

Thanks for reading what I have written.