Passing the Torch

I have probably been his biggest critic. I know in the past I’ve called him out so many times for ‘incorrect this’, ‘you need to fix that’…

Until one day things changed.  You turn your head, watch and you see someone who really knows how to teach, how to care for kids, how to ‘never give up, never surrender’ - leaving a legacy in his wake.

I looked back at my writings and this is the second time I’ve written something about this person. And don’t think I’m getting all soft, I’m still a hard ass to him. But it’s harder and harder to find things to point out.  

I called him this morning and immediately lit into him about something he said he was going to do that I didn’t agree with.  Then I felt foolish. Because as I sit back from the balcony, kind of like the two old Muppets on The Muppet Show, I realize that my voice isn’t the one that’s important.  That what he’s doing is building up young men and women.  He’s developing character, and teaching so much more than drums or music.  He’s changing lives every day.

I was there at the beginning. When he first started on this path in college. Oh, did we give him hell. We absolutely broke him down over and over again.  Shame on all of us. Because of all of us, he is the one who has the biggest heart, and loves the kids he teaches more than anyone.  Oh, and he absolutely knows how to freakin’ teach. Don’t forget that. I’ve made it a point to be a part of his journey.  I don’t think he even realizes that I stand amazed most days.

And I am still his biggest critic (most days). But today I realized it’s time. I realize that this teacher, well, I now I am the student. Watching someone who transforms lives, and builds up better people.

Here’s the torch.  

Keep on Matt.