September Memories Part 3

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers [and sisters] to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

September calls with cooler nights and Friday night high school football games and halftime shows! The sweltering summer days and days of marching and preparation are almost forgotten as the game begins. Excitement from the first notes of the “Fight Song” and cheerleaders rallying the crowd summons everyone coming together, supporting each other, cheering for each other. Memories of September linger with us all as autumn’s night air surrounds us.

All former band members share the same familiar camaraderie that must happen in teamwork. Whether is comes in remembering of all the hard work, the half-time shows that require near perfection, the trips and competitions and performances off the field, or, later, in the scholarships that reward the work as new beginnings in college call. This bond is cemented with stories and more stories about the band bus, the mistakes, the freezing Christmas parades, the dropped music, and so much more. There is unity in this bond, and even long years after, it is good!

Community is about the whole, about being a smaller part of something bigger. Band memories rise when we hear old, familiar music like The Carpenters, Three Dog Night, Chicago, along with Sousa, and more. Reflections of friendships formed decades ago trace the places etched in our hearts. God reminds us about the goodness of dwelling together in unity. September memories recall those sweet, more innocent days of lining up in the end zone a minute before the half ready to perform as a whole, together as a community. Let’s remember the goodness we find in the unity of purpose, of brotherhood and sisterhood (or band-hood). It is good! - dho