-Lone Ranger-

Friday, October 19, 2007

"You all are going to sound terrible! You'll make all your parents sick to their stomachs!"

These are the words of a very dedicated teacher.

This teacher, unlike most, was a very independent one. Armed with passion, confidence, and a strong will in everything she does, this women has helped many many children find a place for themselves in this world.

Her journey started when she broke up with her husband. She ordered 50 violins to her house. God knows what she was doing with them. It seemed as if she had lost her mind. She had two sons, both violinist since they were 3. That was about all she had left of her marriage.

After what seemed like months, she finally found a job in New York. A friend of hers recommended her to a school to become a music teacher for the violin. Unfortunately, the head of the school would not accept her until she saw proper certificates and degrees ( sigh ). However, the next day, this determined women brought in her two sons, both neatly dressed in a black and white suit with a tie, stormed into the office, and forced the music of what was left of her broken family down the principals throat.

"Will you hired her now?"

That was her son's question after their mini 'talent-show'.

Roberta Guaspari Demetras got into teaching. She was strict, nasty, and outright determined. Second thoughts never seemed to cross her mind when she felt like throwing a student out of her class. She wanted students who were dedicated, passionate, for learning the violin. She gave students who felt that the violin was hard and difficult, perseverance and courage to move on.

Eventually, she turned into a very successful teacher, and gave up on finding a man of her own. Roberta had many concerts and plays organised in halls. She never gave up trying to teach her students and advise them whenever she felt was required. She was indeed an inspiring one.

This lone lady, Roberta Guaspari Demetras, held on to her dreams of teaching and musically educating young children. Opus 118, the school of music, is to this day still standing because of just one woman's perseverance and her love for music. This is how powerful music can be. And how strong a passion can be even in times of loneliness.

There was one scene I vividly remembered...

A little crippled girl sat in the room all alone, violin in hand, practicing. She could not stand up properly and that made her feel that she was unable to 'stand strong' throughout learning the violin. However, with Roberta's encouragement, this little girl decided to 'stand strong' on the inside and master the violin once and for all.

It shows us how feeble a child's heart can be when he/she is met with minor setbacks. It shows us too, how a child just needs a little boost from someone to get back on track immediately. Patience is a very important factor when it comes to music. Music is not for the impatient or the short tempered. Instead, it is for the disciplined who are so determined to free the music from their hearts that they sacrifice so much time for it.

This also shows how loneliness can destroy a person's will to live and do what he or she finds the most enjoyable. What would have happened if Roberta did not come along to help that poor girl. That girl, all alone, would have given up her love for the violin, miss the opportunity of expressing herself through music and miss becoming the famous musician she is deep down inside.

Sometimes, I really pity those who are all alone in this world. Those who do not even have families to confide in. Those who are separated from the ones they know best and thrown into an unfamiliar surrounding for their own good. (say 'hi' to the malaysian scholars!) We just do not know how lucky we sometimes are having someone by our side to listen to our problems, to advice us when we are down, and to pick us up when we fall. It is sometimes very difficult for others to find that special someone.

Oh Father almighty, today, we pray for the people who feel lonely and lost in this world. We pray that you may help us to understand these people rather than be understood. Help us be selfless and kind. Remind us of the love that you have given to us and know how to spread it on to others when we are down. Amen.

Thank God I am not alone...

Labels: Heaven help those who are lonely...

Wolfy howled at 6:35 AM

Lone Ranger...
...alone in the dark...