Hey…Mr. M….

“Did you hear what happened?”

“No Kevin, I did not.”

I was a first year teacher at Benold Middle School in Georgetown, Texas.   I was wrapping up my morning sectional when the 1st chair trumpet player walked in through the back door of the band hall and spoke.

“Someone flew a plane into the World Trade Center.”

Having been thrown outside my comfort zone, I knew instantly that the world had changed. 

Despite all the pain we faced as a nation that day, something positive surfaced within me.  I smiled more.  I was more thankful for all the beauty in my life.  I was grateful that I could teach music to excited children, and that my interactions with them could have a positive impact forever.

I taught my students with so much appreciation, love, and emotion that day.

On September 11th, 2001, we all had similar experiences, and we all felt the love of humanity later on because of it.  However, we tend to forget that we can constantly replicate that same feeling of oneness with the universe through every interaction.  It’s easy to lose sight of that when we are wrapped up in the details of our lives and work.

With that being said, go out and teach those kids with love, hug your family, and laugh more with your friends and co-workers. I love and appreciate all of you!

Manny