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| Photo Credit: earl53 from morgueFile.com |
At the end of May, my family was treated to a piano
recital. It was indeed a treat
because my 8-year-old daughter and seventeen other kiddos sat down one by one behind
the ebony and ivory keys and made an ordinary piano come to life.
It’s even more amazing for me personally because I couldn’t play a song on the
piano if my life depended on it.
My daughter has tried to teach me bits and pieces
along the way at home, but it just hasn't clicked. Bless
her heart; she attempts to be patient with her momma. She even put the little letter stickers on
the keys for my benefit. Nope. Still didn't work. The letters
on a computer keyboard? Not a
problem. Letters on piano keys? Just. Cannot. Do. It.
A couple of the selections during that memorable
evening were from my all-time-favorite-movie, "The Sound of
Music." Oh, how I just love
that classic! I adore the power of the music, the von Trapp family, the
love story between Maria and the Captain, the way the nuns helped the family
flee, etc. The songs are so contagious that I can't help but sing along
when I hear the first few words to any of them...anywhere…anytime…"My
Favorite Things", "Edelweiss", "Do-Re-Mi", “Maria”, "So
Long, Farewell."
During the recital, I marveled at how each child
tickled the ivories in their own unique way and made a beautiful sound. Each of them
confidently walked over to the piano bench with their sheet music tucked neatly
in a black binder. They sat down, took a
deep breath (their parents and
grandparents did too), opened their binder, and placed their fingers gently
over the keys. Then…the music began. Many of the songs had my feet tapping and my
head bobbing a bit.
The last young man to grace us with his talent was
named Justin. I noticed right away that Justin didn’t have
his black binder. I gulped and thought,
“Oh no! He forgot his binder. He must be so nervous. What is he going to do?” However, Justin didn’t seem to mind at all
that he didn’t have his binder. He calmly
strolled up to the piano, sat down, and wowed us with a musical piece that he
played from memory. Did I say wow? Yea, that’s just putting it mildly. I was captivated, fascinated, and
mesmerized. He basically rocked it and I
was so blessed to be a member of the audience that night.
I’ve never played an instrument (well, an
autoharp and recorder in grade school, if those count) and I can’t read music.
However, I do know that my life would be empty without it. Music stirs
something deep within my soul.
For instance, I was holding it together relatively
well at my son's 5th grade graduation ceremony...until the music began.
Junior High here we come. They
had a slideshow with pictures taken throughout the year, PLUS the
baby photos (oh, don't get me started...).
I did fairly well until I heard the music. I can’t even remember the
words to the sentimental songs because I was trying to wipe away the
tears and the tiny pieces of ultra-thin toilet paper off my face (I didn't have one decent tissue in my
purse, so my last resort was toilet paper from the school bathroom....ugh.)
Yes. All because of music...
In addition to my tear ducts, music also
has a magical effect on my feet. It can happen when I least expect it. When I'm in the
grocery store, for example, and I hear a lively beat overhead; I cannot
help myself. I bebop, tap my toes, sway back and forth with my shopping
cart, and essentially get my groove on...right there in aisle 4 next to the mac
and cheese. Good times.
If we listen for the music, we'll realize
that music marks many of the different seasons of our lives. The music of that first dance
with our sweetheart. “Here Comes the
Bride” at a wedding. The music of a newborn baby's cry. The Happy
Birthday song as we are blessed with another year of life. Pomp and
Circumstance at Graduation. Auld Lang Syne every New Year's Eve.
The sound of the very last breath that a loved one takes…
Listen for the music.
Have you ever listened to the way the salty waves
kiss the sand? Have you ever listened to frogs singing at
night after a rain? Have you ever taken
the time to listen to your children breathing as they sleep?
How about the music of a loved ones’ voice or laugh? How about the
sweet sounds of “I love you,” “I forgive you,” “I’m sorry,” and “Thank
you?” And, for my precious
goddaughter…how about the music of that bell ringing on June 8th to
mark the end of her rigorous months of chemo?
A glorious sound, indeed! We love
you, Sydney!
Truly, our summer has begun. In addition
to the music of louder bickering coming from our backseat; I assure you that
I’m listening extra carefully for the music that God provides. It’s there.
Through the music of my children quarrelling, I try to remember that
they are arguing because they are alive and healthy. I need to dig down deeper to have an attitude
of gratitude.
I believe that God speaks to us through music. Some people
prefer classical or jazz and they let their thoughts just float and flow. Many like the inspirational words of a song
to reflect upon. Others enjoy the music
of nature. A few enjoy the music found
in the silence. We have to listen
closely for that one. The sounds of our
very breath and heartbeat are musical gifts we take for granted.
The music is there.
God is there.
Music is a beautiful part of life. When
life gives us music…I hope we listen.
When life gives us music...I hope we sing. When life gives us music…I hope we
dance. Promise me that you’ll never miss
a chance to dance. I know I won’t.
Listen for the music
and have a wonderful week, Sunshines!
