Dr. Amy Lee Gabbitas My niece was interviewed recently for a podcast. She spoke about having a brain tumor, a delicate operation, and a long recovery. She is such an inspiration! She has worked to re-learn life skills such as walking and feeding herself to being a performing clarinetist and musician once more.
After such tremendous battles, she says she has become a better teacher, especially, because she understands through her own experience, that hard things can be overcome. She helped some sixth grade clarinet students who were having a hard time mastering a difficult piece by inspiring them to tackle it taking one step at a time. After they learned the piece, they couldn't stop saying, "Hard is FUN!"
After such tremendous battles, she says she has become a better teacher, especially, because she understands through her own experience, that hard things can be overcome. She helped some sixth grade clarinet students who were having a hard time mastering a difficult piece by inspiring them to tackle it taking one step at a time. After they learned the piece, they couldn't stop saying, "Hard is FUN!"
Life isn't always easy. It is so good to have inspiring people around to help motivate us to continue "continuing on." Dr. Amy Lee Gabbitas is one of those people. Check out her interview on the podcast "Trust the Process":
A Clarinetist's Tale: Surviving and Thriving After Brain Surgery ...
A Clarinetist's Tale: Surviving and Thriving After Brain Surgery ...
Another inspiring story I heard recently was about Dylan, a voice actor, who reads and records children's books for a living. He thought he was just a voice making children's picture books and young reader's novels more accessible. He thought he was just helping out parents to manage long car rides.
What he didn't realize was that his readings were being heard by neglected and abused children in a foster care facility. Those children asked for his readings specifically, particularly for bed times. They called him the "story man." Many of those children had no father in their lives. His voice had become the father they had never known.
He was asked by the foster care workers to come meet those children. When he did, it changed his outlook on the importance of his work. Where he thought he was just being an anonymous voice, he learned that his readings were providing a service to kids who really needed a kind, safe, "father" in their lives.
What he didn't realize was that his readings were being heard by neglected and abused children in a foster care facility. Those children asked for his readings specifically, particularly for bed times. They called him the "story man." Many of those children had no father in their lives. His voice had become the father they had never known.
He was asked by the foster care workers to come meet those children. When he did, it changed his outlook on the importance of his work. Where he thought he was just being an anonymous voice, he learned that his readings were providing a service to kids who really needed a kind, safe, "father" in their lives.
My own father Tom Lee died 10 years ago. But before he died, he recorded the story "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" for his family. Although the recording doesn't have great fidelity, it still brings me so much joy. Hearing my Dad's rich bass voice brings back all those feelings from childhood that made me believe that all was right with the world. I can understand the foster care children's desire to have Dylan read to them.
In January, my 29th and 30th twin grand babies were born --- too soon.
I hurried out to Albany to help take care of the family so that my daughter could go every day to the NICU. One baby died, but the other has been making steady progress and may be able to come home next week.
I hurried out to Albany to help take care of the family so that my daughter could go every day to the NICU. One baby died, but the other has been making steady progress and may be able to come home next week.
In the meantime, one of my tasks was to see that the 2 1/2 year old would take a nap every day. She is just old enough that she doesn't want to. She fights it forcefully. Then I discovered that she likes watching and listening to Grandma's picture books on my YouTube Channel. It makes me happy to think that my stories can help my granddaughter calm down and feel comfortable getting ready to take a nap.
A friendly voice, an inspiring story, calming music --- these are so important.
Never underestimate the power of your creative works.
A friendly voice, an inspiring story, calming music --- these are so important.
Never underestimate the power of your creative works.
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