Beth Weisser - Matching Underwear

Beth was a sort of mentor of mine.  A year older than me, she studied violin with the same teacher as I and was great about giving me advice and support when I was feeling untalented. 

I had almost dropped out of school for a bit, the stress and frustration being too much, but I managed to barrel through for yet another semester and decided, on top of it, to give a recital as well.  It seemed like a good idea initially, but as the date neared, I got increasingly more and more nervous.  The night of my dress rehearsal, I panicked.  Beth, who had been so kind as to attend as a practice audience, took me by the shoulder and said, “I know JUST what you need.”

“What?” I mumbled. 

“You need new underwear.  And tomorrow, you and I are going to buy matching underwear.  And then, you and I are each going to wear that particular pair on the day of your recital.  That way, when you walk on stage and imagine everyone in their underwear (as the old addage recommends), you’ll know at least what kind of underwear ONE person is wearing.  ME!”

The next day, in lieu of practicing, we went underwear shopping.  And she was right.  Not only did I giggle a bit in my head as I walked on stage for my recital (which definitely placated me a bit), I realized what a great friend I had in the audience.  And that I new exactly what her underwear looked like.