Unexpected Treasure

 

     My antique upright piano is the focal point of the living room. I don't play much anymore, so it has become the backdrop for my family photos, and I love that such a sweet piece of my history now showcases my future. Twenty Five years ago, a dear woman passed away and left the piano to me so that I could continue to play.

     Mary was a neighbor of my grandmother's and was in her late eighties. She graciously allowed me to practice in her basement several days a week since I didn't own a piano. In turn, I helped her with yard work and picked the berries in her garden. Though I sometimes had to muddle through chores I wasn't in the mood to do, those are now treasured memories.
 
     When she passed, she informed her family that I was to have her piano. I enjoy having that special piece of Mary's history that has now become mine, and I love that I can sit on that bench and be transported back to my childhood with Mary beside me helping me to find all the right keys as I painstakingly hammered out each song.

    Yesterday, while searching for a gift for my friend who adores all things vintage, I opened the piano bench.  I don't often open that bench where the music is stored, unless I plan to struggle through a piece I once played. Most of the music belonged to Mary, so some it is close to one hundred years old.

     As I pulled the music out piece by piece, I marveled at the excellent condition most of it was in. There were choir schedules and notes from the prime of her singing days. I realized how much she loved playing and singing music, and for a little while I could see her on the many stages she graced.

     More than once, I considered getting rid of the music inside. It was over my head and I figured I would never learn to play well enough to use her books. I always enjoyed listening to her play those complicated songs, and longed for the day when I could play them too. Though that day has never come, I now treasure this time capsule that serves as a daily reminder from Mary to make time for what I love.

   

Does This Thing Have Training Wheels?

      I figured out how to make one and how to post, but now what? Where are my blog's training wheels? I need a crash course, so maybe I don't need training wheels. Perhaps I should just get on and ride, pretending my mom is running along behind me holding onto the seat, waiting for the perfect moment to let go....when I say I am ready.

     Every time I am around my writing friends, they insist that blogging is great for improving writing skills, building internet presence, and increasing self discipline. I know they are right, and that it is good for me. Tight writing, and the improvement that comes with posting regularly hopefully develops into my writing.

     What worries me most is that I never easily learn anything. When I learned to load the dishwasher, the entire kitchen was foot deep in suds. While laundering our family's clothes, I flooded the basement.....twice. My first two weeks of cooking for work, the stove caught fire twice. Nothing I manage to do comes without massive effort, and loads of mistakes.

     Surely those mistakes cause most of my fears about blogging. Please forgive my slip ups while I learn what in the world I am doing, and I will do my best to blog with honesty and integrity. I will write to encourage and uplift. I have flood insurance, a fire extinguisher, and my helmet is tightly fastened. Let the journey begin!