Music in My Heart: My Journey with Melody

I tell Yvonne we’ll be right back, as I jump to my feet. I grab the umbrella and Melody races after me out the front door. At the base of the steps, we look both ways. The sidewalk is empty. I say that she’s gone. And then I see she’s about to turn the corner. I cry out and go after her.

We sprint down the sidewalk, but as we get closer, I wonder what we’ll say. But at the sound of our footsteps, Mrs. Park turns around and sees her umbrella. She thanks us and says that we’re so kind for bringing it. She’s not much taller than we are, but I feel like I’m looking up to her. The sun over her shoulders is blinding. The voice in my head tells me to say something before she leaves again. My palms are sweating, but my mouth is bone dry.

Before I lose my nerve, I blurt out that Mrs. Parks is my role model. She smiles warmly and thanks me. She says that she hopes I have many role models, just like she does. She has role models that are even much younger than she is. She’s learning all the time from the young people in her neighborhood block club.

Melody excitedly says that she also started a Junior Block Club. They fixed up a playground and planted a vegetable garden. Mrs. Parks says that’s really great. Starting a block club is a lot like gardening: planting a seed and watching it grow. Melody is bursting with pride.

Mrs. Park smiles, and thanks us again for her umbrella. But before she walks away, she says that you’re never too young to be a role model. Anyone can be a leader. We are all leaders of something. Start leading, and others will follow. And then she turns a corner and is gone.

Mrs. Parks’ words bounce around my head as Melody and I walk back to the meeting hall. I tell Melody she should be proud. She’s already a leader with the Junior Block Club and gardening. But then I think, what am I a leader of? Can I be a role model, too?