Carolyn Godfrey

When I retired, Hewlett Packard invited me to apply for an Encore Fellowship position. I did so immediately, mainly because the thought of being unemployed filled me with terror.

When my Encore Fellows™ program director offered me my first opportunity, I snapped at it. I ended up as a Communications Fellow at Music for Minors, an organization that brings high-quality music education into the lives of elementary school children who otherwise would probably not receive any.

It all felt rather random, and I joined without any particular sense of mission. But after a few months, I realized I had stumbled into something really good. I did love working for the executive director. I also loved seeing the incredible skill and dedication of the music instructors, many of them volunteers. And the testimonials I read from school personnel, Music for Minors educators, and children moved me greatly.

In fact, after reading one testimonial, I had tears streaming down my face. The testimonial was about a “problem” child, one who did poorly in school, had few friends, and was disruptive in class. After a few music classes, this child began to participate, learn, cooperate; he discovered that he was really good at playing the recorder and took great pride in it.

This child could have been my child. My son struggled through life from an early age; raising him was really, really tough. My most vivid memory of those years is the sinking feeling I got whenever the phone rang, fearing it would be from the school about something my child had done.

But there are other memories. Many of his teachers were musicians; all of them incorporated music into their curriculums. Music was the one consistent thing that my son would do, and do well. In there with all the horrible memories of depressing conversations in principals’€™ offices are the magnificent memories of my child learning, working, cooperating, and being happy, as he sang or played an instrument.

Somehow, being at Music for Minors did not seem random anymore. I feel extremely privileged to work for an organization that helps kids like mine.

My communications skills are helping Music for Minors to spread the word about what they do, so that we can serve more kids who are currently without music education. As for the contribution older workers can make, all I can say is, experience is very valuable (and sadly under-rated here in Silicon Valley.)