Back when I was 5 I had the pleasure of taking piano lessons. I didn't do very well, and I feel like I was the stereotypical kid who didn't practice enough, nor cared enough to even notice. I do remember crying in most every lesson, but I don't really remember why. My recollections don't really seem to be all that joyous.
I also don't really know what's changed in the last 22 years, but the switch has been flipped! Last week, a friend of mine came over to watch my girls while I took Buddy to his kindergarten open house (WHAT? how can he be that old already?!). When I came back, Mr. P and I talked until S got home. It was a great time to catch up and encourage each other. The other thing that came of our conversation was that he was willing to lend me/us an extra piano keyboard that he had 'just lying around'.
AH! I was silly-school-girl excited about the prospect of playing the instrument again. I had no idea where to start or anything. I know I am sort of still able to sight read, at least for vocal music, but the last few days have shown me that is a good start, but not as useful as I had hoped. I skyped with a dear brother/friend of mine who plays extremely well. He was able to give me some 'easy' direction of how to improve technique as well as refamiliarize myself with the piano. The excitement level went up a few notches. I really could hardly wait to unzip the keyboard bag and plug it in...but first, I had to procure it.
Friday rolled around and I asked (read: begged) Shane to go with me to pick it up (I have a serious phobia of getting lost...no joke). He said no. AAAAAAAAAAH! What was I going to do? How could I wait another minute. Then, he remembered he had to pick something up from work, so why not take the kids along and go get the keyboard too?
I was thrilled! We went to his work, then we were on our way to our friends' house. Twenty minutes later, I had the stand up, the keyboard out, and was able to make my first few notes. Oh how awful it sounded!
My goodness. Some things, like riding a bike, you never forget (so they say), but piano is, sadly, not one of those entirely rememberable things. Alas, I really had to start from square one...or at least 1.5.
I printed off the free music sheets my dear friend had pointed me to and I was on my way! It took about an hour or so of CONCENTRATED effort to even get the first exercise to a point where it kind of resembled what it was supposed to sound like. I was encouraged, but most of all, I was grateful.
It seems to me as if God is letting me enter in to a spring season in my life. Things are often muddy and gross, but the chill of winter is gone and new leaves are emerging! I am thrilled. ...more than thrilled, really.
Though I may not be making a beautiful sound on this new-to-me piano, you can sure bet that it is joyful!
XO,
J
Soli Deo Gloria
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