The Active Choice

I read some advice in the Reader's Digest once: (I wish I could remember the exact words, but here is the jest of it --)

When faced with a decision, take the active choice rather than the passive one. 

It was noted that an individual would have fewer regrets, if this advice is taken to heart. It's one of my mottos these days, really making life more full and rewarding.

For instance: Jenni called months ago to tell me that Itzhak Perlman would be performing with the Seattle Symphony in February of 2012! I think of any violinist, he has been my greatest inspiration. I have seen him perform three times with the Utah Symphony, the first when I was a sophomore at BYU. The second time I remember my mother rushing us backstage to get his autograph. We weren't even supposed to GO back stage; you'd have to know my mother! (I tried to find my signed program, but it's buried in my memorabilia somewhere. sigh.)

The third time, I was seated just feet away and performed WITH him -- I was a substitute in the second violin section!  

While we were living in Boise, he gave a solo violin recital of sorts performing the entire program with a piano accompaniment. Jenni attended with me -- She was just 10 years old or so, but remembers it well.

Despite the fact that the tickets were over $100, and it would cost to GET to Seattle, I called Jenni on the phone, "You're NOT going to this concert alone; can you get me a ticket?" Then I called Audrey to tell her about what I just did; she and Matthew made the active choice too! We drove to Seattle together (We couldn't really afford two tickets, but Randy came along for the ride, AND to see his grandchildren.)

Perlman performed "Summer" and "Winter" from The Four Seasons then conducted the remainder of the evening's program. When Perlman was just four years old, he contracted polio which left him unable to walk without crutches. He sits to play. He is 67-years-old now, manuevering seems more difficult for him now than even the last time I saw him. But as soon as he places that violin under his chin, you forget that he is disabled at all. He plays with such spirit and passion for music as a whole.

I'm unsure whether polio shortens a life span, but I'm quite certain he will not be concertizing as a violinist much longer. He conducts more than he plays now. I'm so glad we made this trip. What a choice experience to be here with my two violin-playing daughters.

Thanks, Jenni! I really enjoyed seeing Perlman again, but even MORE special than that was the fact that it gave me the chance to be with YOU!