Teen Spirit

Yesterday's skies showered us with the biggest, fattest, jaw-dropping  flakes of snow that made us a little more than grateful that it couldn't pile up for the warmth of the earth. A snowfall like that is much more fun in December than in early March. However, there are patches of little green things out there, shoots of daffodils, and signs that spring is springing.

For those of us whose seasons follow a school calendar, it is high school musical season. The kids and I went to see the musical production at our high school last night and it was quite impressive. From the students with the leads, to those who lent their voices, and all those who worked unseen but did the magic, it was spectacular. A certain incoming freshman who lives in my house had that same look on his face as he did last spring when he decided he loved jazz and was ready to add the trumpet to his list of instruments so that he could play the music. A tradition goes forward and scores of high school musical memories come flooding back...

I doubt that few of us can say with confidence that we like what we see in the world. Financial crises, incredible disasters, school shootings, war, and outright hatred being shown to others daily. Fear is a very powerful emotion and drives so much of this. It's extraordinarily hard for those of us who are self-proclaimed and die-hard Pollyannas.

But then you decide to buy tickets to the high school musical, you go to the girls basketball game, you listen to the students who compete in the speech contest.... and it makes the negative in the world somehow much less potent.

Another reinforcing shot of teen spirit on the schedule for today, delivered through the wonders of jazz played by middle and high school students. It's all the more potent because they want to do it, they have an interest - even a passion for it. I will soak it all up, and give it back to them.