av8rmike

I was just talking about this in

geobabe1's journal, but I wanted to write my own entry on it. Just before Tuesday's rehearsal, we learned that the man who played bassoon and contra in both of my orchestras had died. He'd had surgery over the weekend for a brain tumor, which was mostly successful, but suffered a stroke a little while later. I'd seen him around a lot in rehearsals, and knew him as that guy who always seemed to be cracking a joke, but never spoke more than a few words to him. The memorial service was this morning, at a synagogue near my office, so I went. I hadn't even known he was Jewish, let alone a doctor, a vascular surgeon, a pilot, a sailor, and probably dozens more things I'll never know about. There were so many people at the service, cars were parked everywhere, along the street, on the grass, in other businesses, etc. I barely knew him, yet I felt compelled to attend. I enjoyed listening to his colleagues tell funny stories and hearing the wind ensemble play music in his honor, but regret having not taken those few spare moments at a rehearsal to talk with him, even a little.

The lesson learned? Try to go at least a little out of your way to connect with those around you. And never stop appreciating those closest to you.