"And The Fruit Of Your Labor Will Come Back To You"

What you sow you will reap, reap what you sow,
What you plant in your life will surely grow, 

And what you grow with love will surely bloom 

and the fruit of your labor will come back to you.

Come back to you, do not tire from doing good,
And never give up when the road gets rough, 

For one day soon a great reward you'll see,

From the good you've done

When the harvest comes, 

When the harvest comes...

What you sow you will reap, reap what you sow,

What you plant in your life will surely keep,

Until you achieve the things you're striving for

And taste the joy,

And taste the joy, 

And you'll taste the joy of your reward, 

Come taste the joy of your reward....

What you sow you will reap, reap what you sow, 

What you plant in your life will surely grow,

And what you grow with love will surely bloom,
And the fruit of your labor will come back to you. 

-Pepper Choplin

The girls and I traveled to Connecticut on Friday to attend the final concert conducted by Amity High School's beloved music teacher Mr. Christopher Hickerson. I had the privilege of being part of the concert band during my time at Amity (back then Mr. Hickerson was the band director). He moved to "the dark side" shortly after I graduated, becoming the choir director from then until his retirement (at the end of this school year). One year ago, with his retirement on the horizon, he made one simple request: he wanted a final concert with all of his students (past and present). And while he wouldn't be conducting us band kids again we were encouraged to become part of the choir and sing that night. I'm not sure if anyone from band took him up on that (my friends and I did not) but it was an incredible night nonetheless.

Walking into that building after so many years, seeing people I hadn't seen in a couple of decades (outside of Facebook), getting to introduce my girls to Mr. Hickerson, and seeing how many people came back to experience this incredible night made me rather emotional. He spent thirty-six years teaching at that school and the impact he made on his students was lasting and obvious. So many people returned. I have no idea of the actual number in attendance that night, but according to the Facebook event 181 said they'd be there. I don't doubt that it was closer to (or even over) 200.

The song selection could not have been any more perfect. The lyrics I shared above (which you can hear in this link) were from one of the songs sung by the combined "past and present choir". Every one of those words felt like they had been written for this incredible educator. I found myself wishing that I had been part of the choir singing those beautiful words that night. As the concert was drawing to a close, Mr. Hickerson shared that the final song he'd be conducting that night would be the first song he ever conducted at Amity. He'd come full circle.

He arrived as a student teacher, quickly became the veteran teacher, and now passes the baton on to whomever comes next. Regardless of who fills that role next year there will always be only one Christopher Hickerson. The fruit of your labor indeed came back to you that night, Mr. Hickerson. May you continue to taste the joy of your reward, and I wish you all the best as you begin what is sure to be an incredible second act. xo