INSPIRASUNS

Yesterday as I was headed to the Blessing of the Pets at our church I drove by one of the larger high schools in town. Their football field faces the road I was on, and a familiar sight caught my eye. When I saw it I had to roll down my window to hear the sound. It was the marching band practicing their halftime show. I rarely wish for a red light, but fortunately, the stop light I came to was just turning yellow, and I stopped with windows down to listen to the familiar sounds of the drums and horns. Oh my goodness the memories this brought back to me!

Both of our daughters were in the marching band in high school, and the youngest continued this passion into college, fulfilling her dream of becoming a Marching Illini. The memories I have of those days are so wonderful. There was a true bond formed between not only the kids in the band but also the parents who came to every Friday night football game, Saturday band competition, and special band trips. Not going to lie, it was a ton of work. Loading the trailers, making sure uniforms were clean and complete, making sure kids had black socks, were the plums straight, did everyone had their instrument. It was work, but man did we have fun. I remember a time when one of our kids got ready to go out onto the field right before competition and his white socks blared like beacons under his black pants. We stopped him, and ya, I took off my black stocks and swapped with him. Trust me, it was worth it, the judges would have really taken away points for those white socks LOL! Oh, the things we did for our kids.

Watching and listening to that band yesterday brought back the memories of so many friendships made by our kids. Our two girls still stay in contact with friends from the bands they were in. But as I said, the friendships we made with other parents were just as strong. We are still close with many of those parents today. We’ve all followed our kids and have watched them grow and become successful adults with kids of their own now.

As I think back on those days this morning, I realize how Father was at work in our lives. Those marching band times, they brought families together. We would spend hours together supporting our kids and watching them grow. We worked and laughed, shared meals together, traveled together, and enjoyed so many accomplishments. We were there when the losses occurred to lift up the kids and let them know they had what it took to win, and when they did, we were there to celebrate. Yes, there were many bonds formed over those years, and the best part was we were doing it as a family. We were together.

I miss those days, but I love the memories I have. Father blessed us back then and I didn’t even realize it until now. Simple times with the marching band, bonds formed and lives changed. Thank you, Lord for those blessings.

Hey, if you are a marching band parent, or grandparent for that matter, enjoy these times. They are the best, and the bonds you will form, they will last a lifetime.

Happy Sunday friends, have an amazing day!

Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.