I reunited with an old friend today. I've known this friend longer than I've known anyone but my family. Unlike other friends, this friend has moved from city to city, and state to state with me. As I approached my old friend today I felt a little guilty because I hadn't spent much time with my friend for a very long time. Time together was well over due.
I started playing the piano when I was 8 years old. I took lessons from a lady in our ward, and HATED it. I can't remember how long I lasted, but it wasn't much longer than 6 or 8 months. I stopped taking lessons until I was about 12 years old, when my younger brother who had been taking lessons decided piano wasn't for him. It makes me sad that I can't remember my piano teacher's name at this point, but I will never forget our lessons together. Playing the piano quickly became not only a hobby or skill that I was developing: it quickly became a passion. I loved sitting down at the piano and playing for hours sometimes. I would play for so long sometimes that I didn't realize how long I had played until my hands literally started cramping up. When we moved to Puerto Rico, the main thing that broke my heart was that I wouldn't be able to take piano lessons any more. But, I didn't let that stop me. The piano was in my bedroom, and I continued to practice and develop as a player. We moved here to Utah and I started taking lessons again, and did until I graduated High School. I loved it so much! Went off to college and kept playing. Came back from school and nothing changed- I loved playing the piano, and it was when I was sitting in front of the piano that I would relax and unwind. When I went on my mission I was able to share my talent and teach other people how to play. I came home and bought my home, and the piano came with me of course! It was actually the first piece of furniture that I put into my home. I love my piano. Even though it's a little out of tune, and every time I play it I seem to find a new key that sticks, it's mine. An old friend who I could never get rid of.
Today I sat down at the piano as a test for myself. I wanted to see if the one thing that I know makes me feel happy and peaceful inside would still do it. So I sat down and started playing one of my favorite songs by David Lanz, "Return to the Heart" I played it over and over and over. It was beautiful. I felt happy, calm, complete and relieved that I could still find peace and calm in something.
My miracle today was music. And it wasn't a small one. Music, along with a few other things like family and friends, will keep me safe and secure in a life full of insecurity and doubt.
I planted crocus bulbs in my front yard about 5 years ago and every year they come popping up around this time. I can see them from my front window, and they make me happy every time! At the same time, however, I always want to yell to the tiny, delicate flowers "Hold on! Springtime isn't here yet!" Because, no matter how hard they try to wait until Springtime is actually here, they always bloom, and then get snowed on. Last week, these two little gems were covered in snow. Today, while the sun shines, they are soaking up the rays and loving it!
