The past two months have been a whirlwind, and now that the dust has finally settled, I can honestly say I'm looking forward to a little slower pace.
May and June are always busy with the Lone Star Symphonic Band, but this year seemed especially full. We had two major patriotic performances to prepare for: our Memorial Day concert in Sugar Land and our annual Patriotic Concert to close out the season. While performing in the band is something I truly enjoy, there is quite a bit that happens behind the scenes long before the first note is played.
As one of the volunteers helping organize the Patriotic Concert, my to-do list seemed to grow longer every day. I coordinated with both the VFW and American Legion Color Guards so we could properly honor our veterans and country. I organized our non-auditioned community chorus, recruited singers, found a chorus director, and worked through the process of getting the director's contract written and signed. I tracked down hundreds of small American flags for the audience to wave during our patriotic finale, designed the concert program, and made sure it was ready to send to the printer on time.
Of course, all of that was in addition to actually being a performer. I still had to find time to practice my own music so I could be prepared for the concert. Since I was also speaking during the performance, I spent time writing and rehearsing my remarks as well. It's funny how easy it is to focus on checking off every task and forget that you're also supposed to enjoy the event you've spent months planning!
As if that weren't enough, I've also been working with one of my cousins to put the finishing touches on our Wortham Cousins Reunion happening this month in Grapevine, Texas. Planning a family reunion comes with its own list of details, and it's been exciting to see everything finally coming together after months of preparation.
By the time July arrived, I knew I needed to give myself permission to slow down.
Even though this Fourth of July marked the 250th anniversary of the United States, I intentionally left my calendar completely empty. No parties. No road trips. No commitments. Just a quiet weekend at home.
And it was exactly what I needed.
I did manage to finish editing all of the Patriotic Concert videos and upload them to the band's YouTube channel, which felt good to finally check off my list. Other than that, the only "productive" thing I did was watch a journaling tutorial with my sister-in-law. We both enjoy creative journaling, so it was a fun and relaxing way to spend some time together without any deadlines looming over us.
Sometimes we think every free weekend has to be filled with activities or projects, but this weekend reminded me that rest is productive too. Taking a break doesn't mean you're falling behind—it means you're giving yourself the opportunity to recharge so you can enjoy whatever comes next.
Now it's time to shift gears and look forward to seeing family at our reunion. After such a busy season of concerts and planning, I'm ready to trade concert programs and rehearsal schedules for catching up with cousins, sharing stories, and making new memories together.
Here's hoping the second half of July is filled with a little more relaxation, a lot of laughter, and plenty of time with the people who matter most.
