Rests: Essential for Music, Essential for Me

Today I did something that epitomizes my personality and yet would seem unfathomable to my husband. Stopping at Sonic with my little philosopher to get a Dr. Pepper and a grape slush (which is unfathomable in itself to my husband who does not drink soft drinks,) we heard a heard a high school band practicing near us. My son, an 8 year old homeschooler, had never seen a marching band, and we enjoyed listening while waiting for our drinks. As we left, the band played the opening measures of Beethoven's Fifth, and a voice chimed from the back seat, "Oh, I love that song!" Stopped at the edge of the parking lot, I made an impulsive turn to the right and right again, into the parking lot in front of the band.
Yes, we still need to get gas and supper before picking up the boy scout, the princess, and Dad in order to race downtown to spend a few hours at the State Fair of Texas. But for a few moments we roll down the windows and breathe. With the little philosopher glued to the window closest to the band slurping his slushy, we enjoy the fits and starts as they practice different sections and finally play through the song.
I'm frazzled today. I slept in, so many things were left undone. We left the house at 3 pm needing to have everything for an orthodontist appointment, dance class and the Fair, including a change of clothes for Dad and empty Dr. Pepper cans so we can get in with a discount. (See, I knew drinking Dr. Pepper was good for something!) I'm angry, frustrated, fearful I forgot something, and fed up with myself. I should be more balanced, more together, more in control.
But our 15 minutes in the parking lot is like a full rest in a measure of music. The pause, the break is as important as the notes around it. So it is with every day. My breaks don't need to be complicated events. I'm listening to high school musicians in rehearsal repeating the same measures over and over. But my spirit is lightened because I stopped. I paused. I rested.
The band ends with "Ode to Joy," extra-special to me because it's the song I walked down the aisle to at my wedding. We drive off, windows still down to hear the last strains as long as possible. I have tears in my eyes, but my heart is lighter. Every day, like every song, requires rest.