The Warrior's Song

The strongest of all warriors are these two:

Time and Patience.

-Leo Tolstoy

I am continually amazed by all the stories on sites like MSNBC. You know, those stories that talk about a woman who now has 150 acres of tulips because she planted just a few bulbs a year for 48 years. Or the story of the man who saved $10 a day, every day, for decades and ended up with $2 million in the bank. Or the lady who became fluent in 5 foreign languages - as an adult - because she learned a few new words every day. Wow. I am becoming an ever-dedicated believer in the concepts of time, patience, and persistence.

Passing by the organ yesterday, I stopped to rifle through some sheet music from my days as a serious piano student. I exclaimed when The Warrior's Song, composed by Stephen Heller, floated to the top. Huh. The Warrior's Song...

... I think I was 15 when it was assigned. It was to become my pièce de résistance. I still remember opening the music- having just mastered the first movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, I was ready for anything. Together my teacher and I painstakingly highlighted the crescendos and decrescendos and contemplated the chords. And the moment I began to play, I was spellbound. This is no ordinary music, I thought. And it's not. It is might encased in melody. It's strength put to song. It's power as told by a piano. My innermost being still reverberates when I hear those chords. This song... it resonates deeply with me.

It was a bear to learn. But with time and patience, its music slowly began to fill the house. The Warrior's Song...

My job situation changed dramatically on Monday. I saw it coming, but it still feels as though I've weathered a bit of an earthquake. After careful consideration, I've decided to take a job as the Public Information Officer with the local police department. I'll also be assuming responsibilities with the Department of Homeland Security and serving as this area's Emergency Management Operations Coordinator. In case of natural disasters or attacks, everyone's coming to Freeman House for soup and cornbread and a cot, I suppose. And it's a good thing I have all these quilts in the making. [Smile]

Anyhow, the job is cool but sadly lacking in terms of pay. I must supplement, and I must supplement fast. I went back and reread the Monday Moment from this week. Stand, look, ask, and walk. Got it. This morning I'm still at "ask". I'm getting ready to walk. Or run, rather. Knowing me it will be more of a walk-ish run.

Ah... the strongest warriors: time, patience, and ... if you ask me... persistence. Time, patience, and persistence: I am a warrior and these are my songs.