What I am thankful for this year

I think perhaps one of the hardest things to do for many is to tell others what you are thankful for.  I'm not sure why this; is it pride, vanity, fear of being vulnerable, or just lack of practice?  But I think most of us would agree we spend too much time complaining about what we don't have and not appreciating all that is around us.  So I wanted to say what I am so thankful for in 2017.

1) An incredible family.  Truthfully, I don't deserve the wife and children I have.  I mess up SO MUCH and yet my kids and wife still love me.  That's a Christmas miracle!

2) A successful voice teaching business.  I'm especially thankful this year because after Hurricane Harvey, I had serious concerns if I would have ANY students left.  League City was hit hard, and voice lessons are a luxury.  You don't need them to survive.  I'm eternally grateful to have so many devoted students, gifted beyond measure, who choose to take singing lessons with me.

3) Incredible support from colleagues in the high schools, my church, and former students.  They give me new ideas on how to teach weekly and serve as role models for how I conduct myself professionally.

4) My former voice teachers.  Simply put, I would not be here without their guidance and insight.  They believed in me when I doubted myself and never gave up on me, even when I was too stubborn to understand.  In particular, I want to thank Dr. Timothy Jones from the University of Houston, who is the MODEL of what a man should be at all times: professional, always courteous, confidence without arrogance, and grace in all situations.

I could list a lot more things I'm grateful for, but that would take up a lot more of your time!

Thank you to all who made this year so wonderful and 2018 will be even better!

DWS