One of Amanda’s favorite movies is Mr. Holland’s Opus. It’s actually a pretty good movie, for those who haven’t seen it. It’s about a musician who, to make ends meet, begins teaching music in High School. Throughout the movie, he works on his Opus, his masterpiece, the piece that he’s always dreamed he’d create. I won’t spoil the ending for you….rent it.
I’ve always kind of felt like Mr. Holland. I’ve always had this desire within me to write one great song…a song that would really resound in the hearts of everyone that heard it. It would be a song that would reach people, no matter where they are. I’ve been writing for a long time now, and have never felt even remotely close to reaching the point where I’d say, “Yeah, that’s it!”
Until this weekend. I wrote my Opus. My masterpiece. Like every good work of art, my masterpiece wasn’t born out of isolation. No, Amanda helped me greatly in creating my Opus. In actuality, she did the hard part. Oh, and again, like every good thing, there was a WHOLE lot of prayer thrown in!
You see, my masterpiece, my great song, is Caroline Ruth, my baby girl. It hit me this weekend in Savannah when I saw her interacting with other people. I saw a grandmother get tears in her eyes when Caroline went to her, reminding her of her own grandkids. I saw tired and weary faces light up when my little girl smiled and waved at them, for no reason at all. I saw entire rooms of people captivated by the way she bops up and down when music is played.
She’s my Opus because she changes people. She’s sure changed me.
And the coolest part? My Opus is not finished! Everyday, it gets better! It’s not a song that gets run into the ground and you get tired of. No, my little song is new each and every day! Everyday, a new verse is written. As the days go by, my song might change keys, even into the minor chords, but she’s still a masterpiece. And she will be touching hearts and lives long after my cooperating in the writing is over. One day, she’ll take over the pen on her own.
And, as much as that scares me, I can’t wait to see what she writes!
The Wading Pool 
gotta see that movie now you got me curious now:D
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Mattie,
Now you get it. Now you see what I told you about 7 years ago.
That maybe I won’t ever be some great person. But that maybe I was put on this earth to be the FATHER of a great person.
And that is a BRILLIANT picture. I’ve decided to talk more British, so instead of awesome, I’m using brilliant.
I’ll also be saying wanker, bollocks, and tally ho as part of my daily conversation.
Just thought I’d let you know. 😉
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Bro, you are a great person, and not just because you’re a great dad. Remember the parable of the talents? Jesus says we’re rewarded based on what we did with ALL we were entrusted with. That’s kids, wife, friends, and time. We’re going to be husbands and friends long after our kid’s move out and start their own families, and we lose complete control!
But isn’t it awesome to get to have these tiny blessings, and get to see them grow?
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Matt, this is poetry. She is most definitely a beautiful opus, and only gets sweeter with time. She’s captivated a little 9 year old boy’s heart for sure. 🙂
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“Sweet Caroline… a good opus literally and metaphorically!
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Well said little Mattie.So this means I have written a symphony! and all I was after was a little diddie.
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Bub, you’ve written a Rock Opera!
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Mr. Dalton, you need to write a new Opus.
BTW, you are getting abused at my blog: just thought you should know.
Peace out Oat Bran.
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Please, for the love of all that is decent and good in this world…GIVE US A NEW POST! 🙂
We miss you corn meal.
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Ahhh…you guys are making me blush!
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