"Amazing Grace"

While I was out running this morning I got this really cool idea for my post. For several hours the idea was percolating and even though it would probably be brief I still thought I could make it into something.

This afternoon my idea was pre-empted by other circumstances. I don't know if I've ever told you this but I have always wished that I had some talent for music. I especially wanted to be able to play the piano. Although I generally hold the belief that you can learn to do most anything you set your mind to, I also believe that if you've not received the genetic material for certain skills then your success in that area is going to be limited. Such is the way for me when it comes to music.

While I was out and about today I had the opportunity to listen to someone who clearly was blessed with the aforementioned gift. This young lady sat at the piano, without any music in front of her, and moved effortlessly from one song to another. She seemd barely conscious of her fingers literally gliding over the keys. For some reason I was motivated to go and talk to her. When I asked if I could sit on the bench with her she silently but clearly indicated that I could do so. She just kept playing through my questions only once stopping momentarily, explaining that she was in the wrong key...as If I would know the difference! In response to my question about the lack of sheet music she simply stated, "it's all in my head". I asked her if she had formal training and she told me "yes, she atarted taking lessons when she was 5 years old." For some reason I was inspired to ask her if she could play Amazing Grace. She just smiled and immdediately moved into the song. Even though we were in public I closed my eyea and let the tears run silently and unashamedly down my cheeks. This song automatically takes me back to my dads funeral, in a glorious uplifting way.

But I digress. Back to the young woman playing the piano for me. By this time I really felt that she was playing for me, as she explained that having someone join her on the bench was very uplifting for her. I think she would have played as long as I would listen. If it was a good experience for her it was doubly so for me. While I know that I will never be able to do what she does so effortlessly, for a few minutes I at least felt like I shared the experience of making music. The neat thing is that she welcomed me to come and repeat my experience another time...an offer I intend to take her up on. Her name is Lorraine.

By the way did I tell you that Lorraine has been playing the piano since she was 5 years old? I think I did. What I neglected to tell you is the reason behind the lack of sheet music. Lorraine sees only shadows...she is almost completely blind. Maybe I also neglected to tell you that Lorraine has now been playing the piano for ninety one years!!!!

Beyond my wish to be able to make music, today I wish also that I had the writing skill to share this moment with you in such a way that you would feel like you were living it with me. Alas, even if I managed to describe by half what I felt today I know that you will still be stirred and uplifted. Today I feel blessed!

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent”---Victor Hugo

“Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets that startle our wonder as to who we are, and for what, whence, and whereto.”---Ralph Waldo Emerson

love
peter