I would like to express my heart felt thank you to all of you who took the time out to not only wish Thomas the best in past competitions(he came in d in the Charleston International COmpetition btw)and accomplishments he has received. The latest was that he was elevated to permanent first chair in the first violin section of his prelude orchestra as well as offered the first chair in violin II of the Philharmonic orchestra, which consists of high school kids. He was so nervous during his first rehearsel  weeks ago because he know noone and nobody wanted to talk to him because he is only 12, but he pushed through it. Last night, he got a call from his conductor and she is moving him up to asst. principal of the Philharmonic. "Guess they will talk to me now" was his reply to me, hahaha. Although his conductor wants him to leave the prelude, he doesnt want to because it was a dream of his to be first chair so he is doing both until she puts him in first chair of the Philharmonic. I back him up with whatever his decision is. 

Anyway, we read all replys to posts and I lost my train of thought but simply wanted to reach out to everyone to let you know we really do ready every single reply and you have no idea how much your kind words mean to him, let alone me. He is really happy about the Christmas tune coming up. He made me promise to do it with him and I am very happy to do so. Thank you all so much and every person here means the world to us.

I say punch drunk, btw, at the beginning because I used to be a boxer for a number of years and my doctor says my memory lapse is most likely due to the years I boxed. But nothing major.