The Geezer Band

I love reason. Why? Because you don't need much of it.

Today's story is a sub-story to "the Origin of Flame". This actually happened on the same Sunday as my last article. Now, in our church we have our choir group which is stationed above the church in a little balcony. We have an all-rounded choir: sopranos, altos, tenors, but only two basses. I am one of those lucky two. Lately, we have been working on some fantastic but difficult pieces that our choir leader thought we could accomplish. We always do and it makes her so happy! During some of those special songs, she sometimes brings in an instrument player to help bring more "color" to the piece. We have gotten a trumpeter, an oboist, and rarely we have a guitar player. Luckily today, we had the guitar player. His name is Guy. He helped provide background during a special two-verse hymn we sang during communion. What a name right? Guy? That is so cool! Anyways, fast forward to end of yet another fantastic end to church. Once the congregation leaves, I usually help put away our grand piano that we always have out on the floor in the back of the church with a few other choir members. As we finished covering the piano for next Sunday, me and my friend saw Guy. Being the talkative people we are, we naturally went over to compliment his guitar skills. His wife was also standing right next to him. Guy was very thankful, however, as we talked, he seemed a little off. I found out why. Apparently he noticed that his guitar playing wasn't loud enough for the entire congregation to hear. Guy then told us that he felt that he was getting too old to play the guitar, that nowadays his playing didn't have the same feel and power as it did way back when. Then he even told us that he had a makeshift dream to start a new band called "The Geezer Band" (don't know if it was a joke or not) and he told us that if this kept up, it would become impossible to achieve. So, during that brief minute, Guy didn't have much confidence in himself or in his playing anymore, and it sounded like he was almost ready to give up playing his instrument forever. So, I did something about it to cheer him back up. Using my positive and encouraging ways i have learned to pass on over the years, I looked to Guy with a smile and said "If it is something that you love doing, then I don't see a reason to stop just because you are getting old" He froze. Guy completely stopped what he was doing and just stared at me. His wife followed suit. They were silent for a few seconds then his wife told me "thank you for telling that to him". Naturally I replied back "of course!" Then it was if a switch was flipped in Guy's heart. He started smiling a little more and having more confidence in himself and it sounded to me like he was going to make "The Geezer Band" idea a reality. I hope he does. That is also why I thought I would name today's article in honor of that idea!

So, today's "words of wisdom" are to keep doing what you love for age doesn't matter if you have a passion. Just because one time didn't work out for you doesn't mean its enough REASON to quit. If you love doing it, why stop? Whats the real point? There isn't one, because if it is something you were put on this Earth to do, then you had better not give it up!