tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post5686044975337384754..comments2023-07-04T08:32:45.440-06:00Comments on Coloring Outside The Lines - A Mom's Perspective On Challenging Kids To Think With Humor: Ivory SilenceSo Who Is The Crayon Wrangler?http://www.blogger.com/profile/10085121764324581283noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-54922608123319737012011-04-08T10:41:58.600-05:002011-04-08T10:41:58.600-05:00Oh this made me cry. I relate to this piece so muc...Oh this made me cry. I relate to this piece so much. I poured so much of my teenage angst into the piano. If it weren't for that, I'm not sure where my outlet would have been. I too am a pianist and we still have a piano and I teach some of my children. I'm not sure any of them will ever have the same love for it that I do, but I can hope. Beautiful piece. <br /><br />(BTW, my sister, Sonora(twinfinity), sent me over here to read this piece. I'm so glad she did!)Staceyhttp://www.staceysmotheringmoments.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-72259590468726905242011-04-06T15:28:41.083-05:002011-04-06T15:28:41.083-05:00I like how the songs become yours. And the way you...I like how the songs become yours. And the way you wove notes into life. <br />As you did in that moment find a little bit of your sad self.Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00955772837133239769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-46514169292736476862011-04-06T08:53:40.149-05:002011-04-06T08:53:40.149-05:00Oh so beautiful. It makes me want to learn the pia...Oh so beautiful. It makes me want to learn the piano, just to compose my own versions of songs!Megan (Best of Fates)http://www.bestoffates.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-85258634626298362232011-04-05T20:25:18.891-05:002011-04-05T20:25:18.891-05:00Beautiful. The End. ;)Beautiful. The End. ;)Brandon Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609719408183527672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-14069782481221998762011-04-05T18:00:51.041-05:002011-04-05T18:00:51.041-05:00She had a way of coaxing me to let the music play ...<em>She had a way of coaxing me to let the music play through me. Instead of focusing on Allegretto or Adiago, she instructed me to play the beat of my heart.</em> <br /><br />You had me with these two lines. This the most important thing that a teacher can impart. Anyone can figure out the notes ;)<br /><br />And I say that as Music Major and someone who struggled through thirteen years of piano lessons.Rebecca Einstein Schorrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09304661918070274646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-62857879914120688262011-04-05T14:22:23.839-05:002011-04-05T14:22:23.839-05:00Such an honest piece. I remember the rigidity I f...Such an honest piece. I remember the rigidity I felt, learning piano, to follow the notes on the page. Funny that when it came to singing, I felt free to play with them as much as I liked! I love how you ended this, especially the last line, "I have the choice to continue playing, for me alone. To make every life song my own and bloom." Yes, we do have choices and knowing that we do, even when we don't like what the choices are, gives us freedom to fly....or bloom. :>Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06572568205513606978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-344768546602406942011-04-05T13:21:39.574-05:002011-04-05T13:21:39.574-05:00This was so honest. I love that you shared an auth...This was so honest. I love that you shared an authentic moment with your family. All parents make mistakes, and this post shows such acceptance of your wonderful dad.<br /><br />I love the section where you describe actually playing the piece. And how you show us how you made the songs your own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-78057985022770896822011-04-05T12:45:52.672-05:002011-04-05T12:45:52.672-05:00I wrote a post this week with "Bloom where yo...I wrote a post this week with "Bloom where you're planted in the title."<br /><br />I also grew up taking piano lessons. So much of this I could relate to - the timer, the rushing when you should be slow and dragging when it should be fast. Piano and forte. Legato. Fortissimo!<br /><br />My mother's favorite carol was also What Child is This and now that she's gone it holds a bittersweet note for me. I loved this line: "As the song wove into the air, my tears finally began to fall. The melody of disappointment." <br /><br />Exquisite!Adellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02514702407736792897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-44734917174543216602011-04-05T11:52:21.393-05:002011-04-05T11:52:21.393-05:00"Bloom because you are so happy with where yo..."Bloom because you are so happy with where you are that you can't help but unfurl your petals"<br /><br />Love it. Makes me feel like the sun is shining on my skin.Puahttp://dinomomma.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-5921131636561354762011-04-05T11:13:06.979-05:002011-04-05T11:13:06.979-05:00I am also jealous of those who can play the piano,...I am also jealous of those who can play the piano, to be able to leave all their emotions on those black and white keys. <br /><br />I can only agree that the bloom where you you are planted paragraph is pure poetry and a reminder to us as parents to let our children be who they are, to bloom in the way they ought to reaching out to the light and to world with their own arms. <br /><br />Lovely, lovely. As always.Kirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17894442143508446312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-66058261461099615702011-04-05T11:13:06.478-05:002011-04-05T11:13:06.478-05:00Over the years, I don't think it was the disap...Over the years, I don't think it was the disappointment of my parents - at least that I could remember - but rather the disappointment I perceived and created in my own self. <br /><br />I never bloomed into what I could or should have... and to this day, I still take on things that are not what I am supposed to do, things that drain me, things that make me die a little on the inside with every breath, thought and glance that passes. <br /><br />Somehow your post drew this out for me, and I realize I have to take my roots - and plant them where I will be able to bloom. Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01612926604575095219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-89162602240664575062011-04-05T11:01:46.860-05:002011-04-05T11:01:46.860-05:00"Bloom where you are planted.
I have always ..."Bloom where you are planted.<br /><br />I have always hated that saying. I don't believe a palm tree can bloom just because it is planted in the arctic. I believe sometimes you have to decide where you are best suited and pull up your own roots. Bloom because you are so happy with where you are that you can't help but unfurl your petals."<br /><br />That, for me, was perfection. This so adequately describes the way parents sometimes push children to be who they are not. When you talked of your sadness later, I felt it.<br /><br />Good job!Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702715864474921159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-13098290531624149172011-04-05T10:34:21.296-05:002011-04-05T10:34:21.296-05:00This is so gorgeous, and I went there with you. I&...This is so gorgeous, and I went there with you. I'm a pianist as well, and that pull that the keys have over your fingers is something that's hard to explain - but you captured it well. It's almost as if your hands are there, they have no choice but to play.<br /><br />Playing through tears... such a striking image.<br /><br />I'm not sure about the paragraph where you discredit "bloom where you grow." I agree with you, loving the idea of pulling up your roots - but it reads like an aside and doesn't quite go with the picture of the little girl planted on the piano bench.<br /><br />Great work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-11376415653974713152011-04-05T10:33:01.276-05:002011-04-05T10:33:01.276-05:00Oh, as a parent this tugs my heart. How many thin...Oh, as a parent this tugs my heart. How many things do we do absentmindedly that hurt our kids? I love how you described making the music come alive to you and making it your own. I am amazed by that talent. I don't have it, but admire those that do. I have fond memories of listening to my sister change Fur Elise into a jazz song. :)<br />I loved this paragraph:<br />I have always hated that saying. I don't believe a palm tree can bloom just because it is planted in the arctic. I believe sometimes you have to decide where you are best suited and pull up your own roots. Bloom because you are so happy with where you are that you can't help but unfurl your petals.<br /><br />I couldn't agree more. Good job!Sonorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14157673100145462827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-13412248619956844142011-04-05T10:18:59.548-05:002011-04-05T10:18:59.548-05:00The way you weave words together is just so amazin...The way you weave words together is just so amazing. <br /><br />And I took a lot from you talking about "bloom where you are planted" because that was my motto when we moved here in 2009. I HAD to bloom or I might have withered away... That part really hits home with me. <br /><br />Wonderful writing friend.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01044279582701415786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-15387346426642604942011-04-05T10:17:45.549-05:002011-04-05T10:17:45.549-05:00Just absolutely beautiful and soul grabbing. I cou...Just absolutely beautiful and soul grabbing. I could feel that pain as your father made his statement.. and the ability to put it someplace else, in the music .. just beautiful ..Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949756584291140114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-1978561043761858282011-04-05T09:43:46.139-05:002011-04-05T09:43:46.139-05:00I loved how you changed the music to fit you. Won...I loved how you changed the music to fit you. Wonderful.amygrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10655920157645555504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-77856438284512109962011-04-05T09:26:14.282-05:002011-04-05T09:26:14.282-05:00I tentatively struck a note and paused. In my next...<i><br />I tentatively struck a note and paused. In my next breath, the haunting notes of the song began to come alive. Slow and with purpose. As the song wove into the air, my tears finally began to fall. The melody of disappointment.<br /><br />Disappointment in self.<br /><br />Disappointment in a parent.<br /><br />The song reaches out year after year through the radio or through my own fingers. The slow notes still contain an ache, but I've come to embrace the feeling. I allow the sadness to wash through me and recognize that although disappointment is a part of this life, its not the ending note.<br /><br />People will fail you.<br /><br />You will fail others.</i><br /><br />These words are what caught me in my throat. It's a powerful read and touches me to the core.Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493576726012326958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-26654573417818481612011-04-05T09:15:17.482-05:002011-04-05T09:15:17.482-05:00Your post makes me wish I hadn't been such a q...Your post makes me wish I hadn't been such a quitter with my lessons. I've put you on my sidebar so I can enjoy your writing on a regular basis.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01564542013071462911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-11906349116415865962011-04-05T09:05:49.333-05:002011-04-05T09:05:49.333-05:00"Someone else wrote the song, but it was mine..."Someone else wrote the song, but it was mine to interpret. I loved when I finally heard me in every song."<br /><br />I never got to that point with music, though I loved it. I think true artists interpret music until they hear themselves in it. I was just a copyist. <br /><br />You packed so much into this story. Inspiring and empathy and sadness... wow. My own little attempt feels really silly now! I guess we start somewhere. :) I'm so glad I stopped by to read yours.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05860887792107209615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-3126454188182068322011-04-05T08:26:39.118-05:002011-04-05T08:26:39.118-05:00First off, I'm really impressed by this hangin...First off, I'm really impressed by this hanging upside down business!<br /><br />Oh, you capture that feeling of failure so well, and with so few words. Nicely done!Lisa @ Two Bears Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03464839163693785901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-67519528246815792832011-04-05T08:16:04.769-05:002011-04-05T08:16:04.769-05:00I crushed my mother so badly one day. I didn't...I crushed my mother so badly one day. I didn't mean to.<br /><br />I'd recently had a baby and made some little mistake with him. I think I let him stay in his pajamas too long. She told me I was passing on my bad habits to him.<br /><br />I shrugged and told her "that's what happens. Parents make mistakes. Parents pass on bad traits."<br /><br />She looked like I slapped her. Because I'd forgotten that she was MY mother and she may have been wondering about her own mistakes.<br /><br />It happens. We all hate admitting it though.KLZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07148991868974040605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-31558958326870543592011-04-05T08:12:49.655-05:002011-04-05T08:12:49.655-05:00Wow, this is really powerful. I could totally pic...Wow, this is really powerful. I could totally picture you sitting at a piano, pounding out a Christmas carol. Love this post. And love how you turned it around in the end, made it positive.livingsj77https://www.blogger.com/profile/00482438876414085408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-63692483862109734482011-04-05T06:45:54.373-05:002011-04-05T06:45:54.373-05:00I agree with both Galit and Jack in the achingness...I agree with both Galit and Jack in the achingness and the culmination aspects. This was poetical, and raw, and emotionally complex.. and how the piece you played haunts you a little bit emotionally. It's going in my spotlight list for next Saturday, you are a magnificent storyteller.Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06666555088992266185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377597847115472379.post-36669760095727782602011-04-05T06:43:25.643-05:002011-04-05T06:43:25.643-05:00This is just outstanding, you are a wonderful writ...This is just outstanding, you are a wonderful writer. You made this moment alive.<br /><br />I have visions of my sister playing One Man Went To Mow for half an hour because my dad told her she couldn't get up until she practised that long, it was her punishment to him. Dad was begging her to stop by the end.Penblethhttp://penbleth.co.uknoreply@blogger.com