When I was a little girl, my grandmother had a tall upright piano which my aunt played for awhile in the 1950's.  I was always undeniably drawn to that piano, and I used to sit at it for hours, clinking on the keys and wondering what it would be like to be able to pick out a real tune.  Virtually, no one else in my family shared this interest, and neither of my parents played a musical instrument (although I later learned that my mother secretly always wanted to play the piano).  Imagine my delight when my parents purchased an old used piano.  
        I still remember my first lesson in the summer following 3rd grade.  I remember my teacher's name ~ Marjorie Alspach ~ and I recall not only the name of my first recital piece, but I can still play it by heart.  The sheet music is safely tucked away in a Ziploc bag.  It is torn and tattered and the music store stamped at the bottom has long since gone out of business; however, its phone number began with a letter instead of a number, i.e.,  GA2-1045. (Now, that's old!) It cost a whopping forty cents and it is titled "Water Sprites" by Leila Fletcher.  
        I have been through many emotion fires throughout my life.  There were actually times when I was so depressed that I wished I had never have been born.  But throughout all my turmoil I could always turn to my piano to ease my sorrow.  God chose to bless me with this interest in music and for this I am truly thankful.
        I am thankful for His gift of music.   For the wind chimes that sing so sweetly as they sway on my front porch on a breezy day; for the robins and cardinals that sing from the giant pine tree in our front yard, and for my grandson's tender voice as he sings his own rendition of "Jesus Loves Me."
        Musician and Composer Johann Sebastian Bach summed it up perfectly when he was quoted as saying, "The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul."

Back to Life's Little Lessons