A Season of Change

I wish I were merely speaking of the approaching autumn, my favorite season, with the changes of weather and color in the trees, warm cozy firelit nights, new routines to settle into, maybe a new student or two.  But this is a change that will set me on a new path which I can't return from. I was diagnosed with cancer in June, and will be starting chemotherapy in a few weeks after my surgery heals.  It still seems surreal, and I am uncertain where my future in teaching will go.  I made the difficult decision of turning one of my students over to another teacher, but I know it will be the best for him. He was approaching a late intermediate stage, which I am not comfortable teaching beyond, so it would be time for him to journey on soon anyway.  I know the new teacher will be a good fit and she will be able to bring out his full potential. I am actually excited for him, tho I hate letting go of the plans I had for his year ahead. Another family that has two boys whom I teach ironically is also struggling with a diagnosis of cancer for their mother.  She is going thru chemo currently, so they are on hiatus.  I am left with a mixed lot of students from beginners to older ones who struggle practicing and being faithful to lessons. I think they will be flexible with my schedule, and a missed week here or there will probably not set them back greatly. I will give them the option of finding another teacher, but somehow, I think these 8 students will stick with me.  As long as being bald doesn't scare them too much...  I am hopeful that I will make it thru everything, and will come out with a remnant that I can still build a studio on. If God has other plans, then I will walk down that road when I come to it.  My posts may be farther between, or of a different nature now. But I still hope to provide some sort of firm foundation for my students, musically or otherwise.  So for now, off on my journey I must go.