This is part two of the 'singing saga' - performance #1 at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. In order to perform in the "Voices of Excellence" program sponsored by The Conservatory, students must audition in front of a panel including teachers and the director of the facility. Bryan had dreamed that one day he would…

Must have traveling music on the Fourth of July! This Fourth we traveled to Reading for our annual family picnic together. Bryan was decked in his usual red, white and blue - sporting two glitzy flag pins on his flag t-shirt. Tacky, but he loved them. At this point, I don't worry about his presentation…

Bryan performing at the Kimmel Center - the SECOND time. Two weeks ago I posted about the sad news of The Conservatory closing, ending Bryan's long tenure of music therapy and lessons there. As I reminisced about the special experiences he had while a student there, my thoughts went to his two live performances held…

Honoring Grandfather Johnson with a flag on Father's Day. Bryan came to Father's Day dinner on Sunday with a touching card he chose and a gift he purchased for his dad in hand. He was very excited to see his new nephew, sister and brother-in-law, as well as his aunt and uncle. After the meal,…

The last recital. On Friday, Bryan performed in his last recital for The Conservatory. It was a sad, bittersweet performance. Many students performed that evening at the 8:00 program. Bryan was the only performer with special needs. We heard beginning pianists - little tykes whose feet dangled from the bench and played the simplest of…

A gesture of concern from Bryan. My husband and I had been feeling lousy ever since we received our second booster shot a week ago on Wednesday. We chalked it up to residual effects of the shot which we had experienced each time Moderna was injected into our arms. No biggie. But when 'lousy' continued…

Bryan pointing to Dad's shirt that matches the plane - the P-38 Lightning. When asked for his birthday wish list (which is always quite lengthy!) Bryan's top wish was to visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - the National Air and Space Museum at the Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C. with his dad. He…

"So, Bryan, how does it feel to be one year older?" asks Grandma. , the 101-year-old. "What is your name, 41?" ...a classic line we use from time to time with Bryan, stolen from one of his favorite movies, "Ben Hur" with Charlton Heston. Now, it's apropos. He turned 41 on Friday, the 13th, and…

Bryan showing his nephew his gold Special Olympics medals It was the second time Bryan was with his nephew, Finley, since his birth. Such a difference two months makes! As Uncle Bry jingled the shiny gold medals at Finn, he was riveted to the color and the sound. Already I could tell a difference in…

Track is back once again. It's been three years of virtual meets - of sending scores in to an unknown entity and competing against no one. Today was the first local meet of Bucks County Special Olympics Track and Field competition held at Council Rock North's football field since 2019. The number of athletes was…