Plunkers and Ticklers

After a year of standing in the kitchen and breathing deeply through another banging out of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game", all that practice has paid off and we've reached our recital. Don't get me wrong, some days I closed my eyes at that stove and smiled and tapped my foot to the familiar melodies, thankful for the lessons and the love for the piano. And while some are plunkers of those black and white keys and some are ticklers, we gush and bubble with delight as we watch our children take their seats at the baby grand in front of an audience.

 Mrs. Anger lovingly announces each child and a little of the story behind their piece.

 No longer the youngest pianist this year but grinning from ear to ear.

 Daddy and Oliver perform the song they wrote together.

 Emily LOVES to play and uses my childhood book.

 Molly plays a lengthened version of "What A Happy Day".

 Meg plays, "The River Flows In You" by Yiruma

 Mrs. Anger is a key tickler. We all sit and watch in awe.

Listening to Mrs. Anger's 92 year-old mom.

We love our patient teacher!

After 32 Years...

They danced and perspired and laughed and loved being in her place more than anything. It's been nearly a lifetime of jumping and twirling for my girl, but after thirty-two years, Meghan's beloved dance teacher closed the doors of her studio. The wild emotions that ensued amongst the myriads of teenaged (and younger) girls was a sad state of affairs. 

 

Final Recital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Linda, we'll all miss you. Thanks for being not only a teacher, but a mentor to our girls. God bless you wherever you go. Enjoy your new adventure!

 

 

  

A Reason To Dance

We find our way to our seats in the dimly lit auditorium, wave to a few familiar faces and open our program. How many years have we done this now? Nine? Ten? I sit low and heavy in my flip-down theatre chair and sigh a good, long satisfied sigh. We made it. Another recital, another year over. Now it is time to relax and enjoy the fruit of our daughter's labour and our hard-earned money.

I'm taking pictures but still I gaze adoringly at the once chubby arms, now long and lean, stretching with gentle elegance. She and her fellow dancers are trained to smile but there's something behind hers that denotes more than just obedience. She's right where she wants to be. The stage, the costume, the dance, this is where her mind takes her on days that are long and weary. I had become cross with her a few times this year when she forgot her dance bag or when she was late again and made us all wait in the van. But as she glides across the stage, spinning and then poised just so, I am overwhelmed by the shear blessing of being able to provide this path for our daughter and the rest melts away.

We go for ice cream later and we hang up the tu-tu for the summer. It's June again and I don't know how we got here or how she grew into a ballerina. It all feels like we were just laughing and twirling together in the living room, pretending she was a "real" dancer. My husband and I have always told this girl that we pray she would use her gifts for the Lord, who gave her the ability in the first place. We're beginning to see this come to fruition as she would wake up the next morning and perform a worship dance for Father's Day in our church. And as our girl grows in her physical skills, we are ever aware that her spiritual connection to her heavenly Father is growing as well. Joining the two is honouring her Creator. And that is a very good reason to dance.

A Reason For Music

The girls know that piano lessons are a blessing. They know that their music is praise to Him who created it in the first place. But today, at the end of the school year, they play for an appreciative audience; one that has lived many days filled with music. The elderly residents of this home in our town applaud our young ones, who nervously seat themselves upon an unfamiliar bench and plunk out melodies with pride.

It's a reason for music; a way of giving back and honouring those who've walked this earth before them. It's a means of blessing a generation who shared themselves and their talents with the next. This is how we receive the gift of music--by passing it on.

(duet by Meghan and Molly--"Heart and Soul")

Our beautiful teacher, Beth, demonstrates how persistent practice over the years turns hesitant plunking into "tickling the ivories".

Beth's mother enchants us with her music while we mingle. This piano belonged to her and she graciously gave it to the home.

Mama and Papa attend and cheer the girls on.

Prayerfully becoming a musical family. With a talented Grandma who inspires us with her playing in church and a Grandpa who sings, we each are learning to grow in His amazing gift. And blessing others with this gift ... now that's a reason for music.

Practice Makes Perfect

Meghan has always been a determined little girl. Since she was two years old we could see a drive for excellence in her. When her class was learning splits or another difficult dance move, she would come home and practice over and over until she had mastered the skill. A precious gift God has given this girl is a relaxed and easy-going personality.

Today was Meghan's ballet recital and you could feel the excitement in the air. Her first two dances were smooth and lovely, however, in her last dance she made a couple of mistakes. She returned to the dressing room a little sad because she felt she had let her group down. It didn't take long for her to cheer up and to watch and encourage her friends in their dances.

Meghan, we are so very proud of your talent but most of all, we are proud of your character. You are a good friend and a loving daughter. Keep allowing God to shape you and you'll always be "perfectly" who He's made you to be.