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Office of Education
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 Joe Sims: IntroductionDr. Grey enjoyed the early morning hours when he was the only person in the office and had time to think about his patients. On one such morning he saw Joe Sims’ name on the schedule and paused to remember Joe's last visit fifteen years ago when he said, “My hands hurt all the time. I must be developing arthritis. I’ve pretty much decided to give up the saxophone.” He was 20 years old and pursuing a dream to become a professional musician. He had left college, moved back to his parent’s house in Salt Meadow, and took the train once a week to New York City for lessons with a well-known wood wind teacher. To pay for the train fare and the lessons he took a job as a carpenter in a local woodworking shop where he spent most of his day planning and carrying heavy wooden doors. During the course of the visit it became clear that Joe’s hands were taking a beating at the shop and that there was no sign of arthritis. Equally important Joe, had no support at home. In particular, his father, who was a successful real estate developer, was openly skeptical that Joe would succeed in the music business. As all of this became clear by the end of the visit, Dr. Grey surprised both Joe and himself with words of advice that seemed to flow out of his mouth. “Quit your job, move out of your parent's house, and keep practicing.” Joe was able to obtain a loan from his father who was secretly grateful not to have to listen to Joe practice. With the money he rented an apartment in Brooklyn, continued his lessons, and spent his days and nights practicing scales and arpeggios. About a year later Dr. Grey was negotiating a suitable bedtime with his 12 year-old daughter as she watched music videos on MTV. Glancing at the television screen, he saw Joe Sims with a thin goatee and dime-sized spectacles, happily playing his saxophone next to Cindy Lauper as she sang Time After Time. In a flash he realized that he had given Joe the right advice.  |
