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GUEST BLOGGER: ALEXANDRAMy name is Alexandra, and I can best be described as a SAHM homeschooler by day, fancy-dancy caterer by night. I am the ever grateful mother to 3 boys, and am smart enough to live in a small town, where everything you need is 3 minutes away and comes with rock star parking.
I began my own blogging after following the blogs of a few others. I wanted to have a place for my words, and to practice writing. The pile of frayed notebooks next to my bed just weren't cutting it anymore. Since blogging, what has happened is nothing short of wondrous. I have met like-minded people, read so many heart-moving things, been inspired, and have "entered" other worlds many times a day.
I think the internet is fabulous.
I hear it from upstairs, but I still can't believe it. I am hearing it through my own ears, in my own home. My brain processes it as reality, but my soul tells me it can't be so.
From the upstairs bedroom, I hear my 14 year-old son playing the piano that is in our front room. I know it is him; it has to be him, since he is the only one able to play the piano in our family. I've seen him sit at that piano daily; a piano that just five years ago a friend gifted to us. He plays and plays all his favorites: Journey, Coldplay, and even movie themes. I've seen his fingers moving along the keys, so know it to be true.
But my soul tells me it can't be. How does a woman like me - one with no musical ability - get blessed with a child like this? A musical child, how does it happen? I've never dreamed it possible, even in my wildest dreams. Yet, it's so. So, though I'd like to have the greeting on our answering machine just be him playing, I know that I can't. And though I'd love to tell everyone, from the bagger at the store, to the town librarian, "My son can play; I mean he can really play!" I know that I can't. I know society doesn't find that acceptable.
So, I instead find myself having to sit down on the bed upstairs, with tears of pride and disbelief springing to my eyes too quickly for me stop them. I let him keep on playing. I don't want to walk downstairs just yet...
I might break the spell.
19 comments:
Yes! I know! I have this in my house too and I never tire of it. I could sit and listen for hours.
that is just cool. motherhood can be such a joy! soaking it in with you...play play play!
I'm reminded of those old McDonald's commercials where the kid plays Fur Elise at a piano recital. Man, those made me wish I could play! Hope the spell lasts for a long time at your house. =>
My hats off to you for allowing him to find his talent when it wasn't yours to bequeath to him...sometimes we throw up roadblocks in our kids way to things we can't do ourselves. And I think you should shout his abilities from the rooftops. You have our permission :)
Oh, Alexandra. Don't be afraid to tell the world about his gift. If something is true, it's not arrogant to let people know. Do you realize that there are lives he could touch with his playing if only others knew?
In Greece they stand up and announce that they have a skill, experience, or quality that could be helpful in a given situtation. They smile as they're doing it because it is a joy to be able to help.
I wish I could hear him play.
It's so nice to hear of a mother finding joy in raising a teen. Most of what I read are complaints/rants. This was beautiful!
I totally think that you can tell people. What a gift! My son has a lovely voice and me? not so much. And I let EVERYONE know that he's the next Josh Groban (see I just wrote it on the INTERNET). And even if he isn't, I love listening to him sing.
This is lovely, Alexandra! I've always been fascinated by the idea of musical talent - neither my husband nor I have any musical talent in our families and I sometimes wonder if that has prevented us from really introducing music to our son (given how busy he already he is). It's absolutely wonderful that you gave the space to your son to blossom in this area. I also understand too, too well that feeling of "needing" to suppress your pride and joys. I sometimes think that the only two people I can brag about my son to are my husband and mom. But go ahead...I think it's okay to gush a little!
I grew up listening to my mom play beautiful piano and singing in our church choir. It's because of her that I fell in love with music, and now I'm so happy because both my kids love music just as much. Music is a comfort,taking us away from the ordinary that fills our days. And when it's our kids making that joyful noise, it's truly out of this world.
And you should SO tell it to everyone you know!
Beautiful.
I am watching the talents of my children make themselves known, and I wonder daily at the magnificence of it all.
(And we love those classical kids recordings too--my crew is listening to the one about Handel every night right now.)
These are the moments...
I love this!
It's kind of like technology- the first generations are good, but subsequent ones build upon it and end up with fancier features that leave the first generation quickly surpassed.
I hope my kids surpass me by many a fancy feature.
That is one of the wonders of parenting that I just cannot digest yet; they have their own gifts, their own interests. They are not small versions of us. Who knew? I'm amazed every time my four-year-old does something that would scare me. I can't wait to see who she becomes.
I have experienced this same thing in my home. I love that my kids can do so many things that I never could. Music is a beautiful thing to have in your home!
I can't wait for moments like these. My twins are only 4 and I have no musical talent, no athletic ability, and I certainly can't cook or sing. So it'll be interesting to see what my kiddos end up with. This was beautifully written, and thanks for sending me over! Wonderful guest post!
I have always wanted to be able to play the piano. I can't imagine the well of over overrunning pride at hearing him play. It seems, as mothers, every thing these little people do is nothing short of miraculous.
Love it!!! What a wonderful post!
Awesome--what a great feeling as a mom to see your son succeed in something that can bring so much joy, to him, to you, and to others.
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