200 Days

Last year, back in Shreveport, the kids and I went to a Mardi Gras violin workshop at the Centenary Suzuki School. My daughter had an excellent teacher, Gabriel Bolkosky, or Mr. Gabe as she called him.

During a group class, Mr. Gabe challenged the kids to practice for 100 days in a row.

I have to admit, I think most of us parents thought that sounded pretty impossible. Our days just get so crazy and when you figure in illness and holidays and days when you're just so tired that you feel like you're going to explode...well.

100 days is a lot.

But in May at the kids' solo recital rehearsal, we found out that one pair of brothers in our program were just about to complete their 100 day challenge.

I was amazed and impressed, but still thought it sounded pretty impossible for us.

And then we moved. And we got far away from good practice habits. And we were starting with a new teacher. And I was stressing.

So I decided to do it. I decided that we would practice for 100 days in a row, no matter what. And it changed our lives.

Not only have the kids evolved tremendously as violin players, but we've developed a purpose, discipline and a deep belief in ourselves that we can do anything we set our minds too. All thanks to Mr. Gabe.

Yesterday we hit 200 days of practice in a row.

Our new goal is to hit 365 days. Back when we were on about day 3 and it still felt like 100 days would be impossible, my husband flippantly threw out there that if we hit 365 days in a row, he'd take us on a trip.

With only 165 days left to go, we're making plans.

And the kids take on completing 200 days of practice in a row? They say it was easy.

Mom disagrees.