Gratification

In one of my six schools this year, I started a guitar class. I have to have at least five students to even begin, but after many phone calls, we had enough. There were two boys and three girls. Three of the students had mother's that worked in the school, so it was easy to keep tabs on them. After the Christmas concert I found myself fighting to get them all to class. One girl left early every Thursday for fear of gym class, and of course guitar was always on Thursdays. The two boys made every decision together, so when one decided that learning to read music was too hard, the other did as well! SO there were two girls left. Ashley was practicing every night and the music came easy for her. Lizzy, on the other hand, had stickers all over the guitar's neck to show her where the notes were and STILL couldn't play. So when Lizzy dropped out I was not upset. It was finally a chance to see what Ashley could do.
In one of our talks, I realized that she also loved country music....Wonderful! I started to teach her some of my favorite country songs starting with "When you say Nothing at All" by Allison Kraus and Union Station. She loved it! Her mom told me that she played the song night and day! Two weeks before the spring concert she told me she was not only ready to sing and play that song, but she had also WRITTEN HER OWN! I was so proud! We worked on her song and I sang harmony with her. The parents LOVED that concert. It took me an hour just to leave afterwards because of all the parents I had to talk to (I loved that)!
Well once summer came I was in a tight spot. My company doesn't allow us to teach our band students during the summer because we have a summer program. BUT, there is no summer program for guitar, so I said F@*^ it, and taught her anyway. During the summer I was able to teach her about four songs, "Better things to Do" by Terri Clark, "Travelin' Soldier" by Dixie Chicks, "You're Still The One" by Shania Twain, and her favorite "Without You" by Dixie Chicks. I had to tell her and her mother Wednesday that I was moving and then unable to continue with lessons. Their faces looked like a truck hit them. Ashley got a little teary eyed and asked a TON of questions. Once she realized what I was going to be going to school for, she was comforted by the possibility that one day I could be her manager. :o) It was really hard to tell them I was leaving, I almost cried. When I got home yesterday Ashley had written me this e-mail.

hey Ms morhiser I just wanted to let u no that my mom got me a new guitar teacher but I don't think he is as good as you. I wish u didn't have to leave...Cause without u IM not okay n without you I've lost my way...Remember that line...Well just wanted to let u no GOOD LUCK n someday I hope u can be my manager

lots of love n luck
~Ashley~

The lyrics "without you I'm not OK, without you I've lost my way" are from her favorite song "Without You". Needless to say, I was a little misty after reading this!