Slice of Life: The Music in Me

When I was in Kindergarten, I begged my mom for piano lessons. We had a really amazing player piano in our living room, and I wanted to play music. My mom made me promise that I would take lessons all the way through elementary school. It may seem an odd commitment to get from a young girl, but that was probably the best thing she could have done for yours truly, the people pleaser. I never questioned the obligation that I had to get to piano classes or practice my piano.

Growing up, I lived in a planned subdivision, on a cul-de-sac. My piano teacher lived two houses down, after turning left at the bottom of the circle drive. I walked there by myself every Wednesday at 4pm like clockwork.

Throughout the years I trudged down to that house. Some weeks I sheepishly meandered, dragging my feet along the way, ashamed of my lack of practice time. Some weeks, I galloped and burst into her foyer with enthusiasm and pride, ready to show off my new skills. But every week, no matter the emotions involved, I got there ready to learn.

Sometimes it was a stern lesson, with yet another reminder that I would not get very far without practicing. Others, it was a feverish work time getting me ready to perform at the next recital. And some days we just had fun.

I learned a whole skill set that I took completely for granted. It wasn’t until I was in college in a choir and a director was excited that I could sight read the melody that I realized how awesome that skill was.

Music played such a big role in my life as a kid as I learned to use art as a channel for my emotions. I sang in choirs in high school and college and church. Musical theater was part of my life from childhood through college. I even sang at my cousin’s wedding and my grandma’s funeral.

And then the music stopped.

It wasn’t on purpose. When I went to study abroad, there wasn’t really an opportunity for singing in a choir or at least not an easy opportunity. Then, I met my husband and he just never got to know that music part of me. It is really weird how I let that part of me become dormant.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. My mother is selling her condo and needed to get rid of a bunch of things. So, I jumped at the chance to get her digital piano. (Not quite as cool as the player piano I had growing up, but definitely a great option in my apartment)

We brought that piano into the apartment and my husband has been starting to learn also. I have been sitting down to play music every day and it is such a balm to soothe my frazzled soul.

This post is a part of the 14th annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. After a few years away, I am challenging myself to write every day in March this year, along with an amazing community of other bloggers. You can find our writing linked up on the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Author: Andrea

I am an instructional technology coach in a middle school in Milwaukee, WI. I have been teaching for over 20 years in many grade levels ranging from first through eighth grade. I am a lifelong book nerd.