Wow,
what a year it has been! At first
glance, most would agree that the 23rd year of life for Colt
Campbell simply sucked. I lost my
very best friend, Dad, to a hard fought battle of cancer. I ended a long relationship of 3 years. I buried my childhood puppy dog 2 weeks
before Dad passed away. I
overloaded myself with 14+ hour days consisting of a first year band director
job and a full-time masters degree.
Most scary of all, I questioned my faith and my identity as a human
being.
Now,
as I look 24 straight in the eyes, I realize that 23 really wasn’t that
bad.
My father shared with me the most
important lessons he ever taught me during the last few months of his
life. As a child I was glued
to my father’s hip. I always wanted
to be apart of every single thing he was doing. His patience with me was unwavering as he watched me
struggle to hammer a nail into a block of wood, swing a baseball bat, tie a
necktie, change my oil, lay block foundation, wire a house, put on a roof, fix
a lawn mower, and much, much more.
He shared with me his love for music, hard work, and humor. As his health declined, Dad was
always positive as he fought the terrible disease that consumed his body. Never phased by pain or weakness,
Dad pushed through setting an example for his family. Dad, teaching his final lesson, exemplified true love. As a result, my family is now
inseparable. The bond my brothers
and my mother feel is ever stronger thanks to the never-ending faith and smiles
of my dad.
Ending a long-term relationship put
my head in a spin. Starting as a
joke, and then progressing into an application, website, and professional
endorsement, Date Quest Campbell Edition took flight. My big brother Dan, also fresh out of a long relationship,
and I had a blast creating the idea.
Our goal, to find the best date in the Carolinas, turned into quite an
adventure. Applications arrived,
dates took place, and much was learned from both Dan and I. I learned I am a sucker for a great
smile, sarcasm, and a girl who loves the outdoors. I learned how to respect each lady, target their positive
traits, and treat them like an angel for the evening. The best date of all during the Quest was with a 60 some
year old woman with grey hair, a killer smile, and a hot foot. For her birthday, I took my mother
swing dancing.
I…love…my…job. Despite the 60+ hour weeks, football
games, loud buses, booked Saturdays, and sleepless nights, I love being a band
director. I learned to love my
students at Dutch Fork Middle School helping to propel them into what turned
out to be a very successful year.
Life took a new direction recently as I accepted the Band Director
position at West-Oak High School. Now,
with the year underway and after hours upon hours of preparation, our little
band program is well on its way. I
see myself sticking around the upstate of SC for quite some time. Go Warriors!
I can bear testimony that adversity
has strengthened me. God has
given my family and I trials so we can grow as we focus on our final
destination, living with our heavenly father with the ones we love. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that
I will see Dad again. Thanks to my
knowledge of the gospel as a Latter-Day Saint (Mormon), I know where I came
from, why I am here, and where I am going. I have found a new spark as I attend my Sunday meetings,
pray often, and refer to the guidance and counsel of modern day prophets. As I work as a young men’s leader
in my church, I wish that these teenagers could feel just a glimpse of
what I have felt over the last year.
Just like I did, I’m sure they would grow to become a much stronger
person.
Bring it 24!