My OperaHidden Sorrows...
Sunday, October 2, 2011 5:12:37 AM
In my general music classes, I have the students answer a journal prompt--a question or two regarding something musical. This past week, the question was, "Name a song that would be the theme song of your life. Explain why."
Often, 7th-grade students come up with some rather amusing answers to a question like this. I love reading their answers, however. They're almost always good for a chuckle or two. Until...
One young man--I will call him Jason--explained that his theme song was "I Should Have Been a Cowboy." He went on to explain how he loves cows and horses, guns and all things "cowboy" in nature. But then his explanation took an unexpected turn.
He explained that he had lived a really tough young childhood, especially after his parents split up and his mother abandoned the family. For awhile, it was just Jason and his dad...until his dad was busted for drugs, Jason was removed forcefully from the home and placed with his grandfather, whom he didn't really know. Now his father is in jail and Jason lives with his grandfather. His grandfather is a rancher. And Jason loves his new life.
He said that he liked the song because it seems hopeful. Now that he has a new life, Jason says he is filled with hope for his future and expects good things for the rest of his life.
Jason is a wonderful, helpful, curious, intelligent young man. I would never have guessed that his life had such trauma. "In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see" goes the song. Jason has shown a remarkable resilience in overcoming his hidden sorrow and trauma.
Jason is one of my heroes.
Often, 7th-grade students come up with some rather amusing answers to a question like this. I love reading their answers, however. They're almost always good for a chuckle or two. Until...
One young man--I will call him Jason--explained that his theme song was "I Should Have Been a Cowboy." He went on to explain how he loves cows and horses, guns and all things "cowboy" in nature. But then his explanation took an unexpected turn.
He explained that he had lived a really tough young childhood, especially after his parents split up and his mother abandoned the family. For awhile, it was just Jason and his dad...until his dad was busted for drugs, Jason was removed forcefully from the home and placed with his grandfather, whom he didn't really know. Now his father is in jail and Jason lives with his grandfather. His grandfather is a rancher. And Jason loves his new life.
He said that he liked the song because it seems hopeful. Now that he has a new life, Jason says he is filled with hope for his future and expects good things for the rest of his life.
Jason is a wonderful, helpful, curious, intelligent young man. I would never have guessed that his life had such trauma. "In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see" goes the song. Jason has shown a remarkable resilience in overcoming his hidden sorrow and trauma.
Jason is one of my heroes.
