Somehow I fell behind again! Here it is Day 15 and I’m just now getting around to being thankful for Day 13 and 14. Perhaps I should be grateful there aren’t any 30 Days of Thanks police!

Day 13 I was at a Marching Band Banquet. The whole time I was there I was thinking about how thankful I am for the parents who volunteer. I used to be one of those parents until recently. I began by volunteering in the class and as Preschool President and, up until we moved to Michigan, I was in the classroom every week. I attended nearly every field trip and was involved heavily with scouts. I know how much work it is to volunteer; especially if you’re a parent who also has a job outside the home.

The parents who volunteer with our marching band are a special group. Time spent is much more than once a week. They have helped to make MY children’s marching band experience exceptional.

So I am thankful for the parents who volunteer because their impact reaches so much further than their own children.

Along with the parent volunteers, I am also thankful for the Marching Band program. Having grown up in Canada, I’d never seen anything like the program here. It’s an opportunity for my boys to be a part of something on a grand scale, a creation of art through teamwork.

It’s hard work. They commit a lot of time and energy but I have seen my boys grow immensely through the responsibility.

Lately I’ve caught several shows/movies that refer to “band geeks” with a negative connotation. I can tell you, there is nothing geeky about these kids! They are intelligent, polite, social, and exceptionally high performing students. They have a self-assured confidence I wish I had in high school. From what I’ve seen, I’d say band kids are the coolest kids on the planet.

I am thankful to the school and teacher who bring the best out in our children through their love of music.

If you’d like to participate in 30 Days of Thanks – head on over to www.30daysofthanks.com for the details. Take a moment to read what others are grateful for in their lives.