Always great to go see Hammer however it was extra special this time because I got to introduce Elijah to one of our drum hero's this time. Jeff had been on Lij's list of people to see so it was fun to do that. Lij reminded me of a full circle moment where many years ago I had Lij learn Caravan in Hammer style and he actually played it live. It was great to see so many other friends. We also had a great dinner. Good talks and blindfold tests in the car. So blessed to be able to do this yet with Elijah. Also great to see Jeff's Sister and Niece as always around this area. 

The day started with a bald eagle flying over my car but did not get a picture in time. Made my way back to Lansing to see a few people, get taxes done, go see my other bald eagle lol, a turkey vulture I think, and back to the lake in Holland which was very windy and cold. 

The best thing about any job I've ever had is the relationships! I knew Sam a little in HS at Rockford but it was Sam stopping by my office just to say hi everyday where I really formed my friendship. Sam continues to check on this old man and am always happy to share a meal or the bandstand with him. I was honored to have him be a part of my tribute project to Talia on the Ellis Marsalis composition "Cry Again". It was fun going through a few of these memories!  Thanks for lunch Sam!

Had the pleasure of seeing Professor Emerich on his birthday today. He has always been so kind to me and I'm still using his wisdom gleaned from my lesson with him a few years ago. I returned his trumpets worked on at West Michigan Band Instruments today. Happy Birthday Prof! 

Now that I'm a little closer and no full time job yet, I have a little more time to go see all the nieces and nephews events. Was good to see Esther perform her role in Shrek. Good job Ess. Uncle Max loves ya! 

One of the many honors we get from J@LC EE Program is a clinician sent to our school to work with the students on their music. This year our in school clinician was someone we were familiar with so it awesome to welcome back Professor Walter Blanding. Every time I get to observe Walter, I leave very inspired and have a greater understanding of this amazing gift God has given us in jazz. Thank you Walter for your expertise and inspiration. Thank you J@LC for this amazing program! 

I have had the blessing to call so many individuals Mom. One of the first of those many women was my 3rd grade teacher Ms. Poll that year, next year became Mrs. Mesman. My life has been so enriched to not only be able to call her Mom, but now with her husband, dear friends. They are inspirational to me, we share many laughs, they keep me company on my desert island lol, but I'm also so happy to call them my brother and sister in Christ. They have been such an encouragement to me over the years and I look forward to every time we can share food and fellowship. Their impact on lives will last for generations. Love them dearly! 

The day started judging the district 10 jazz festival. What I love about this one is I get to clinic with the band after the performance. I actually don't enjoy "judging" but I love trying to bring the passion I have about this music to the kids. All the ensembles put in a lot of working had nice performances. I was also so thankful for every band played at least one jazz standard and they did a great job exposing the kids to this great American art form! 

Upon returning home, I went to Mt. Pisgah. I have never heard of this in Holland, but my sister Michelle and I just had a conversation about this. She asked me if I had been yet. After that conversation, she sent me a picture of her daily Bible devotional and they talked about the Mt. Pisgah in the Middle East and that was followed by randomly the GR Press doing a story on it the Holland Mt. Pisgah that day. So I said I should go check it out. It was fun to view the sunset up there and on the other side to watch the moonrise! 

I stayed up to watch the lunar eclipse right off my back porch. It was unseasonably warm and I love to marvel at God's creation.  The last picture is from my friend Jeremy Church, an amazing photographer in Muskegon. 

This is a weird way to start a blog about people I love dearly but I wish I had never met them. I'm being facetious obviously, but I met Sue Anderson at the Lansing Hospice. Sue was an amazing support to me and Talia during our stay at Hospice. She was a compassionate Christian influence during this time. She helped me through the awful process we faced and taught me that sometimes the suffering we faced was not just physical. Since then, I have not only become friends with Sue but her awesome husband Dave and even her son Jon, who I got to work with at his church. I am thankful for this beautiful blessing that came about from a trying time! A testament to God's goodness! 

Had a fun filled weekend. Worked at the Lego event at Northview for West MI Band on Saturday. Time Change! Yuck! Then went to the last service at Bella Vista Church and saw Dad play for the last time in the worship band. Took my niece and nephew out for lunch then gave Matthew a trumpet lesson and he is very talented! Then Saw these eagles as I went into a movie which was awesome by Mario Murillo on healings! Ended the night hiking at Rosy Mound and had a good but cold time with God on the snowy trail yet. Link to the movie: https://mariomurillo.org/events/i-am-living-proof-the-movie/
​

A Couple of sunsets from the past week in Holland. Was so fun to share it with my dear friends the Andersons this evening! 

There was a false thinking I had about getting through all the firsts after Talia's transition to Heaven. Many of those big firsts came pretty quick after her passing. Talia passed on June 10. Our Anniversary was on July 1 and her birthday was on July 23 , so 2 major ones within a couple months. The false thinking I had, was once you get past the firsts, it would get easier. That hasn't really been the case  because these dates come every year and you don't forget them. Some of the bigger holidays were not so bad for me like Christmas and stuff for whatever reason and we kind of did things low key because of some of Talia's anxiety. What I have found is when you do life together as intimately as we did, there will always be more firsts or reminders. They are incredibly random. Just as an example, in the last 2 days here are some reminders that have come up. I stayed in a hotel this weekend. When Talia and I stayed in a hotel, Talia's routine was sending me to the ice machine to bring back ice to have with her Coca Cola. Simple but I walk past the ice machine now and either laugh thinking about that and get sad in the same moment. Or when I would stay by myself and bring home the make up remover that were in the hotel bathroom for her that I don't have to do anymore. I went past an Insomnia cookie place today, and normally would have stopped to bring her some, or I was making toast this week and l was taught when making toast for her, I needed to get the butter and jam all the way to the edges! Same thing, started laughing and getting sad at the same time.

 I am thankful for all these moments. I did see this the other day and could relate. The Hospice grief counselor who would call me once a month for the first year after Talia's passing, told me, "Your mind will eventually catch up to your new reality, but your heart may always have that hole there" She was right! Miss her every day but am so happy she is with God in maybe Heaven maybe Paradise not sure which one as I study these things now, but all that matters is she loved Jesus and am so glad there is no death because of that and she is at perfect peace. ​

A perfect day of family and friends and music! All the families I work with performed today. I am so blessed to work with so many of my dear friends and their students. I know how hard all of them worked and could hear the fruits of their labor. Like so many of these posts, I could write a post on each picture. It was nice to hear my nephews Matthew and Elijah perform today also. It was also special to have so many family members here today including my Dad. I have done a lot of life with all of these beautiful people and I am grateful! Shout out  to my brothers Scott and Keith at WMU. Keith leaves for Brazil tomorrow and Scott ran a great festival today. Finally before I go to bed here, I never cease to be inspired by my Brother Sean both in his wisdom, insight, and playing. A very soul satisfying day! Thank you Lord for my many blessings!