Today, I Confess: Summer Taught Me Some Things...
In this week's podcast episode, I promised a rundown of summer reflections in this week's e-letter.
...so here we go, friends! A peek into the wild ride that was June, July, and (some of) August.
*while there is SOME teacher-related content here, this is largely a personal reflection. I'll be Back to Business next week!
No. 1 - Water Resets: When I was pregnant with my first baby, someone wisely told me, "when all else fails, get cranky kids in the water". It's proven to be solid advice at every age.
We went all-in on that theory this summer, joining a community pool so my youngest could have frequent access to friends and activity (both of which she needs in LARGE doses or none of us will survive). π
I'd originally declared this as The Summer of The Great Nervous System Reset, and the pool came in clutch with that goal. Last school year was exceptionally hard on my girls so I made it my full-time job to make sure they blew off as much steam as possible during their 11 weeks of summer vacation.
I would say MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, though as we've come into a new academic year, I am painfully aware I neglected my OWN nervous system reset in the name of everyone else's. π€¦π»ββοΈ Classic parent problem; I'm working on it.
No. 2 - Helping Others Dive In: At one point, I thought about writing an entire series of Lessons from the Pool. My obsession with studying the human condition was in peak form while people-watching at the pool. π
One of my favorite things this summer was to watch children in their various approaches to the diving board.
Some kids are fearless and don't hesitate to throw their little bodies into the water below. Of course, most children need a little coaxing the first time, and some need a lot.
Watching our lifeguards coach children off that diving board during swim classes and quiet evening hours was one of the most life-giving experiences I've had in recent memory.
It reminded me of why I love our work as teachers. Helping other humans discover a new skill? One that they must ultimately do for themselves because we can't do it for them? It's a beautiful process. It gives me hope in humanity.
We see endless backbiting and condescension in our world, but having a front row seat to pure encouragement of others? Not to mention the victory celebrations when Johnny FINALLY takes the leap? Seeing it from the outside was exactly what I needed to remember the magic of what we do in our studios.
No. 3 - Change Comes Quickly in Both Directions: As you may be aware, my mother's health has been in a consistent state of decline. After cutting a vacation short for yet-another (painful) hospital stay in June, my brother and I made the decision to proceed with in-home hospice care.
...There is much to say on that subject, but I'll leave most of those words for my journal. π
As June came to an end, I found myself at an all-time personal low. Lewy Body Dementia had taken all semblance of my mom's sweet personality and twisted her into a crass complainer, constantly lobbing insults anywhere they would land (specifically on me). It happened like the flip of a switch and all signs pointed to her being gone from us forever.
(As too many of you already know, the act of mourning someone who is still here is...something). ππ»
MUCH TO MY SURPRISE AND DELIGHT: By mid-July, the switch had flipped back in the other direction. While still living in confusion, her cruelty subsided. I tried my best to take full advantage of the improvement, and we had many wonderful conversations.
I ended the month of June believing my mom - as we knew her - was gone, but July proved me wrong in the best way. I was even able to transcribe letters for her that will be delivered to her grandchildren after she passes, as well as words of wisdom for my oldest that she received on her 16th birthday.
I am humbled by how fortunate I am to have received that time and those words. It was a Divine gift I will carry with me always.
Consider me reminded that life changes FAST. I don't pretend to know what the future holds but I am trying my best to choose gratitude.
...and yet...
No. 4 - It's Okay to Name the Bad: For as long as I can remember, I've worried about not being grateful "enough". I know I've been given many advantages in life and the thought of squandering them is one of my number one fears.
I'm well-aware of the problems with toxic positivity and try my best to avoid it at all costs. Even still, I realized I'd not given myself permission to take stock of the mounting negative experiences life handed me this year.
While it's true we don't want to dwell on the negative (lest we miss The Good Stuff of Life), it's also perfectly reasonable to take some time and acknowledge the things that have wounded you lately.
I finally reached a point where I let myself have a pity party over the worst of 2026 and let me tell you: it was a cathartic experience. π
I felt vindicated for having a difficult time showing up as my best self this year. It helped me realize I'm not losing my grip...it's just been a difficult season.
...and, yes, it can always be worse. There are always other people with bigger problems. But - as my graduate professor once told me - Your problems are happening to you, and that alone makes them valid.
I have no idea what's coming, but I feel better equipped to name it for what it is. It's good to remember that any less-than-sunshiney thoughts βοΈare not, actually, a moral failing.
Name the crummy stuff, friends. Don't stay stuck there; name the good stuff too. But don't be afraid to put words to the things that are hurting you. It's the only way we can begin to move forward.
No. 5 - Four Weeks Can Yield a Lot of Progress: Despite my studio being filled to capacity, I took on two summer students, on the condition they were ONLY receiving summer lessons and would need to find a new teacher in the fall.
Both are incoming high school freshmen, heavily involved in school music programs, and recognize the value of learning the piano as a means of strengthening their overall musicianship. How could I refuse? π
βI've said it before and I'll say it again: As piano teachers, we often underestimate how much we can accomplish in a handful of weeks.
Both of these students came to me wanting to learn more about the piano but also wanted to learn how to read the staff more effectively. As you likely know, that's a big passion point for me.
I cannot BEGIN to tell you how wowed I was with their progress. It is eye-opening to realize how much you can accomplish when you set clear, concrete goals every few weeks.
It's tempting to think only lesson-to-lesson, but I'm curious: What could you accomplish with your students in the next 6 weeks? I strongly encourage you to think about it.
My summer students learned to find their way around the keyboard, they can build all their major and minor chords, and they are both reading the staff with newfound ease, thanks to Building Better Music Readers principles.
(One student, in his first lesson, dropped his jaw to the floor and said, "Why has no one ever explained it like this to me before?!) π
Music to my ears.
And - you probably guessed it - I couldn't give these two up after summer so they've found official homes here in the studio. π
So much for downsizing; I'm hopeless.
Phew - that was a lot. If you read everything here, you're the real MVP. π
Now it's YOUR turn to share: Did summer teach YOU anything? Hit reply and tell me all about it!
π₯ May this message inspire you to consider what life has been teaching YOU lately.