Looking in the Rearview Mirror with Gratitude

A former neighbor and good friend of mine, Bill, loves music. He spent his entire career teaching music in a public school district. Specifically, he taught band. He also played the saxophone in the city concert band. When he retired, he started a home-based business where he taught lessons and repaired instruments. Young people and adults alike came and went from his house every day, taking classes and getting instruments repaired. Even in retirement, he continued doing what he loved.

In my 50s, I acquired a piano, took about six lessons, and continued teaching myself with online learning programs. Whenever I got stuck, I called Bill, and he would walk over, expect a good Bourbon, and give me an impromptu lesson, usually on some aspect of music theory that I was missing. After living next to Bill for about seven years, his hearing started deteriorating. First, he went tone deaf, then completely deaf in one ear. In a relatively short period, Bill could no longer play or teach music, repair instruments, or even enjoy listening to music.

Recently, I was talking with him about how he felt about losing such an essential part of his life, and he said one of the most profound things I’ve ever heard, which I’ve repeated many times; he said,

“Chris, I’m just so grateful for the 50+ years I got to do what I love: play, teach, and enjoy music!”

I recently decided to discontinue an activity I have enjoyed for almost fifty years. It’s now incompatible with my health and longevity goals. The truth is, it always was. Instead of being sad going forward without it, I’m looking in the rearview mirror with gratitude for the 50 years I got to do it.