June
MUSIC Information:
- All Year Round Music
- C Major / A minor
- 64 Measures
- Cello and Piano
- 3:11 min
- 5 Pages
"Witnessing the fullness of June, one has to do it without air conditioning.”
TIGHT GRIP
The month of June marks the beginning of summer above the Equator. Each year by then, you can already tell if the heat will be unstoppable for the rest of the season. I believe part of our character in adulthood is conditioned, in great measure, by the kind of climate we grew up in. Clearly, I'm not talking about the political climate — I'm referring to weather conditions — although let's be honest, both can leave you feeling equally scorched by August.
I do believe that growing up in relentless heat, teaches people patience, or just resignation. Cold climates build character, which is code for "you learn to accept that joy is a distant memory buried under six feet of snow". In all fairness, all the experiences we are exposed to in life — from the moment we are born until our very last breath — have a tight grip on us. Without a doubt, everything we are exposed to - from the diet we had, our education, family dynamics, and our own decisions, yes, even climate conditions too - affect the way we see the world around us.
MY FATHER'S LEGACY
A lot of what I am today and what I've learned through the years began at a very young age. I can say I'm a product of my own experiences, or a victim of my own decisions. But to be who I am, my parents play a huge role in the matter at hand. My teachers possibly next in line, and the rest of the world following close behind. And June?, June was always there, except perhaps in December and January, the rest of the year, it was just June.
And in all of that—the summer heat, the decisions, the people who shaped me—one figure stands above the rest: My father - If he were a month, he would be June. My childhood was marked both by the summers in June and my father's personality that made my life feel more urgent, more real. Many years have passed since then, but even to this day, I can feel my father's influence in the way I do things and the way I perceive the world.
My father passed away a few years ago—six, perhaps? What's important for me to mention is his legacy. His personality was larger than life. He was bold in all his dealings. I remember him being intrepid, a good singer, funny, verging on sarcasm. He was a workaholic overflowing with ideas. There were many, contradictions that closely accompanied him his entire life.
BAD COLD
I cannot say he and I have the best father-son relationship in the world, in fact, there were times when, while I was living under his roof, I wish my life was different. I understand now, our characters were opposite in the vast spectrum of things_ if there exist such measurement_ Because, I have to admit, I’ve always been slower in taking action, more lethargic - Is there a better word, or are they all just different shades of awful?
My father always did everything fast and loud, with lots of energy, he did not wasted any time, for him, it was all or nothing. He only needed four hours of sleep at night - seemed to me - to feel refresh and energetic. His personality felt like a bad cold in the middle of June.
EYE OPENER
But I miss my father very much, he taught me a great deal about how to stay afloat and ahead in life, I learned to laugh at adversity and not being afraid of making mistakes. Long conversation with him about life were scarce. His time was precious and his number one enemy, he was always on the go.
I learned much of what I know by observing his demeanor, and analyzing his good actions. Becoming aware of his generosity was an eye opener. From a very young age, I molded my own way of viewing the world, based upon his expressions, choice of words, and the general interaction with the universe.
A THANK YOU LETTER
June is the piece of music I'm presenting with this letter, it has been taken from the notebook title: All Year Round Music. June completes the calendar, a project that started a while ago inspired by the idea of playing music as the seasons change and how the season affects us directly in our dealing with the rest of the world.
I want to dedicate June to my father. It's the perfect piece to thank him for his bravery, and for his unstoppable nature. His love for life really marked mine, in return, even though he's departed from us, I am addressing my deepest appreciation to him.
June marks the beginning of Summer in the North Hemisphere, each year, by then, one can tell already if the heat will be unstoppable the rest of the season. Witnessing the fullness of June, one has to do it, surely, without air conditioning, just like I did growing up.