The Work is the Reward

Starting off with a disclaimer: this is going to be a Proud Dad Brag. Just so you know.

So my oldest son, Gabe, is a junior in high school. I think he’s awesome. He loves being an individual and finds unique ways to express himself. 

The find of the century!

When we were shopping for a car, he found a 1999 Cadillac SeVille. Right price, low mileage, clean body. We took it for a number of test drives. After I drove it, we pulled into a parking lot to discuss without a salesperson around. 

“What do you think, Dad?”

I sat there for a moment, gathering my thoughts. He recognized my hesitation and asked again.

“Dad, you seem hesitant?”

“Well, Gabe, here’s the deal. It feels like a solid car. I’m not noticing anything I’d be concerned about.”

“But?”

“It’s just. It’s not a car I would choose. I don’t know that I would choose it now, and definitely, when I was your age, this is not a car I would want. That being said, if you really like the car, I think we can talk with Mom and go ahead and get it.”

“Dad, I really like this car!”

So, he has a car, like a lot of his friends. It’s not anything current. It doesn’t have exciting bells and whistles. Yet, it’s so Gabe! He expresses himself without being overly loud or overbearing or obnoxious! He’s Gabe.

When he was young, we went to a lot of marching band contests. He fell in love with the tuba. In fifth grade, he started on the euphonium. I thought, yes, that’s the gateway to the tuba he loves. Only, in six grade, he switched to the bassoon! At the time, the instrument was taller than he was! Again, he’s going to be his own person in his own way: playing the bassoon!

In ninth grade, he starts marching band. His interest in playing tuba has waned. Here’s another little known fact - the bassoon isn’t really a marching instrument. For such players, they often move to another instrument or the percussion pit. Also known as the “front ensemble,” it’s the area for xylophones, timpani, and other percussion pieces that don’t move. Gabe enjoyed it, he made a lot of friends, and even had a triangle solo! But, he wanted more.

He started taking drum lessons in hopes to make it onto the drumline. His teacher, who also happens to be his uncle, is pretty demanding. As a drum instructor, my brother has a solid reputation as a drum instructor that gets results. He challenged Gabe in ways that Gabe wasn’t used to at the time. Gabe rose to evey challenge and was excited to audition.

Then the pandemic set everything askew. Schools closed and Gabe auditioned by a video for his sophomore year. In the long run, he was in the pit again. Due to safety restrictions, he remained primarily in one spot and played the same instrument for each song. Like the trooper he is, he brought his best playing and positive attitude. He continued with lessons.

This past April, the band held auditions for the drumline. Working with his uncle, Gabe practiced the audition pieces hand over fist! A week later, the drumline list is posted - he made it onto the line, playing one of the bass drums!

The band marches in the annual 4th of July parade. He quickly learned the importance of the drumline as they practiced twice as much as the rest of the band in preparation. And that bass drum? A little heavier than the triangle. 

Watching him in the parade, I couldn’t be more proud of him. He gave himself a goal. He looked at the steps along the way to reach that goal. He worked for that goal, and he achieved it. He got his great. Now, he’s working even harder to maintain the great.

We all have the potential for Great. We each define Great on our own terms. To Get Your Great, you have to put in the work. You have to accept failures or set-backs as learning opportunities. You have to roll with the punches, have patience, and continue doing the work. March to the beat of your own drum and Get Your Great.

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