Not a day....
There was no class today, but I have to write.
One of the big reasons for me doing this body awareness passed away last week. My teacher, John Englund.
I think I mentioned having gone to my lesson on Thursday and him not being there - apparently he passed Wednesday night very unexpectedly. His mother -in-law was kind enough to call me today around lunchtime and let me know. I've struggled for the remainder of the day.
I met John almost 20 years ago when I returned to Utah after living out of state for quite some time. I was in such a predicament physically I could barely play. I had had surgery on my neck and I couldn't get anything working right. Truthfully, I'm not entirely sure how I got hooked up with John. I know I was asking around for teachers who had worked with injured students and somehow I ended up with his name.
He got me on track again, then I ended up divorced trying to make it financially and I didn't have lessons again for a good number of years. I picked up with him again full-time about 2 years ago. I'm so blessed to have been able to have spent that time learning with him again.
I cried so hard today my head hurts. I haven't cried that hard in ages.
I'm lost. What will I do without his direction? How will I learn what I need to in order to survive my performance injury problems? How will I find someone as patient, as caring, as empathetic to my situation? Will there be another person who doesn't judge my lack of preparation but only helps me to work on what I can when I can? Who else will scold me for my lack of patience and admit fully to their own? Is there anyone that will be able to move my instrument, a fraction of an inch, and make my playing soar? Who else will be thrilled that I've arrived at my lesson and take the time to let me catch my breath before we start?
The world has lost something without measure. I have lost a dear friend and mentor.
Till we meet again, John.
One of the big reasons for me doing this body awareness passed away last week. My teacher, John Englund.
I think I mentioned having gone to my lesson on Thursday and him not being there - apparently he passed Wednesday night very unexpectedly. His mother -in-law was kind enough to call me today around lunchtime and let me know. I've struggled for the remainder of the day.
I met John almost 20 years ago when I returned to Utah after living out of state for quite some time. I was in such a predicament physically I could barely play. I had had surgery on my neck and I couldn't get anything working right. Truthfully, I'm not entirely sure how I got hooked up with John. I know I was asking around for teachers who had worked with injured students and somehow I ended up with his name.
He got me on track again, then I ended up divorced trying to make it financially and I didn't have lessons again for a good number of years. I picked up with him again full-time about 2 years ago. I'm so blessed to have been able to have spent that time learning with him again.
I cried so hard today my head hurts. I haven't cried that hard in ages.
I'm lost. What will I do without his direction? How will I learn what I need to in order to survive my performance injury problems? How will I find someone as patient, as caring, as empathetic to my situation? Will there be another person who doesn't judge my lack of preparation but only helps me to work on what I can when I can? Who else will scold me for my lack of patience and admit fully to their own? Is there anyone that will be able to move my instrument, a fraction of an inch, and make my playing soar? Who else will be thrilled that I've arrived at my lesson and take the time to let me catch my breath before we start?
The world has lost something without measure. I have lost a dear friend and mentor.
Till we meet again, John.
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