Truth be told, it's been a somber week, actually. One of the high school band kids passed away.
I got a call around noonish on Wednesday. It was one of the school office staff informing me that a student had died and that Meego had been seen by a grief counselor. I figured the only reason she would be calling me in person was if the student (she didn't give his name) was a close friend of Meego's and/or in the band since that is Meego's main extracurricular activity.
Sure enough, it was a band kid. He and Meego were not close, and I didn't know his family. Still, anyone who's been a high school band nerd *raising my hand* knows how close everyone gets just from the large amounts of time spent together practicing and performing - and just being part of something bigger than oneself. And this just after the they'd gotten back from their fun end-of-season road trip.
His name was Sean. He was just a freshman. He played alto saxophone. He had two little sisters.
We don't know what happened, just that he passed away "suddenly and unexpectedly". He had no known health issues, and his family was close, happy, "normal".
So, it's been a sad time, but I will say that it seems to have made the whole band "family" closer in general. Several of the kids have expressed thoughtful and mature insights and tributes to Sean. And I sometimes poke fun at the band parent stereotype, but truth is, the boosters just really care about the kids - all of them. And they work tirelessly for the benefit of the program.
It doesn't make up for the tragic loss, but it's silver liningness Sunday, so I'm grasping.
Rest in Peace, Sean
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8 comments:
Tough to find a silver lining when something like this happens. My kids lost a school mate when he was in 8th grade, and it's just sad. We weren't close to him or his family, but still, the grief was overwhelming. It's tragic when they're so young.
Yes, so young. Makes it all the more painful.
That is heartbreaking. My kids have lost a few classmates over the years and it's just unfathomable to me. I pray that his family will get through this with time.
It's truly tragic, seemed like such a cool kid.
A young boy (13 y.o.) around the corner from me passed two days ago - brain aneurysm. He was talented as well... a writer, a photographer, a Star Wars aficionado, a jazz lover, and a game inventor. His name was Caleb. I hope he's met Sean and that they're hitting it off.
Aw, Caleb, just 13. That's a sweet thought about Caleb and Sean. I hope so too.
I'm so sorry. That's awful.
Yes, we're all still reeling a bit.
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