Brunch at Panera's

I haven't seen my friend in awhile. She used to sing in PrayerSong, but has been unable to participate in this round of singing. When she emailed me asking some questions about my Master's degree program at Concordia, it made sense for us to get together and do lunch and chat about that. So we agreed to meet at Panera's. Then Drew's schedule interfered, and I had to move lunch to brunch.

I arrived a few minutes before she did, and spent some time perusing the menu to see what I could in good conscience eat and still maintain my Weight Watchers commitment (ie, keep working on losing weight). Turns out they have fruit smoothies that are lo-cal, and quiches that are high protein low fat. I was happy to discover a freedom of selection that appealed and was something of a treat.

We ordered our food, then headed to a table out of the way where we could chat uninterrupted. First we caught up on how life is going, then we discussed music and careers in music and options for moving forward. Her concern is that given her age, she does not really want to waste a lot of time, energy, and money getting a degree that will not be all that helpful and for which she will see little or no return. I understand that.

I guess I have just always been a curious person and a life long learner. In fact, I have often pursued readings in medical research, scientific discoveries, how our world works, who is the latest guru of mental gymnastics, how to do/make something or another. For me, the degree is less about utility and more about information and learning. I am by far better at understanding music and conducting than I was before I began the program, and that matters to me.

In fact, since I battle cancer, the likelihood of this degree making an impact on any career change is minimal to nonexistent. But it is important to develop who you are and continue to understand to the best of your ability the amazing world God created for us, in all its many aspects and facets. I can't imagine ever thinking that I know enough, or that there is nothing I am interested in or want to know more about.

While I know you can't learn everything from a book, and that relationships are vital, I hope my friend will come to see that there is much to learn even though she is already good at music and has taken years of lessons in piano and flute and voice.