Growing up I wasn’t really into any extra-curricular activities. Though there were many things I wish I had participated in, my family just couldn’t afford it. When I got to high school, I was excited about all the different classes you could take to get PE credits. I decided that I would join a dance class. I took jazz dance and boy was it fun! I learned so many dance moves, like the kick-ball-change and the pique.
One day in class, while doing some stretches, I dislocated my knee. I was okay but I didn’t want anything to do with PE again. I took a couple years off from PE but knew I needed one more year to graduate. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to take dance and I wasn’t really into anything else. I decided I was going to learn how to play an instrument then join the marching band for my senior year. I basically taught myself to play the trumpet during the course of my junior year. By the time I was a senior, I was no better but joined the marching band anyway (I needed those credits).
The first semester was all field shows, so no one knew that I wasn’t really playing (no one but my teacher, that is). I was just doing the moves. But then, second semester came along and with that came varsity band and pep band. My teacher continued to have patience with me, even though I was no good. He taught me all the songs that I needed to learn. BY the end, I was a decent player.
I ended up loving music so much that I decided to become a music major in college with an emphasis on trumpet. I was originally in the California Baptist University Choir and Orchestra. I loved it! Playing my trumpet at all these shows! But the conductor hired on one too many trumpet players. He wanted three but accidentally let in four. So I was moved from playing the trumpet to singing alto. This was a good change for me though. I found a new talent I didn’t know I had.
I still had to do something that involved the trumpet. Hello, it was my emphasis! So, I joined the wind ensemble. That was such a blessing! I loved it! It was the extra boost that I needed! What made it so amazing, was having my parents show up at every performance. They went to as many of my choir performances as they possibly could (we toured and so they couldn’t show up to all of them) but they did attend every wind ensemble. I loved seeing the smile on their faces. It let me know that they were so proud.
Now, here is where the story has a twist. You see, I also had to take one-on-one trumpet lessons since it was my emphasis. I got better as time passed but my instructor ALWAYS put me down. He told me that I would never get any better. This took a toll on my playing. I didn’t want to be a music major anymore, I didn’t want to play the trumpet anymore, I was done! I changed my major and never looked back til now. 
I never played my trumpet again because it hurt too much! My Dad would always tell me to continue playing because it was something him and my mom were truly proud of. I have wanted to so many times but never had the guts. My Moms passing made it even more difficult to pick it up again. I couldn’t see her smile anymore as I played. What was the point?
So, I just sold my trumpet just the other day. And now I regret it! I want to play my heart out! To God and to the memory of my Mother! But I needed the money for the trip! I am jobless. What was I to do? I guess that when I get back, I am going to buy myself a new one!
