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brought tears to her eyes. Though I west of Austin which took up a lot of their time. When she asked if I had any music,
continued with lessons for a couple of time and attention, but they kept in touch, I offered her a Methodist Hymnal given to
years, I knew I was struggling. I never calling on the phone and exchanging me by my grandmother after I had first
learned music theory or the basics of emails regularly. purchased the piano. The young woman
chords. My instructor suggested I try played effortlessly, thumbing the pages
keeping time with a metronome, but About this same time, I was surprised from song to song. I could visualize the
without an understanding of the values to hear from a realtor about showing my notes bouncing off the wall, and enjoyed
of different notes, the metronome was of condo. I had been trying sell on my own, hearing such music come from my piano.
no help. I found that I could replay pieces but was having little luck. I had just about
after hearing them, but I couldn’t play decided that a move was not meant to be, They were a fun couple, and they talked
off the page. The instructor could tell I but I agreed to let him give it a shot. with me about the business they were
was memorizing her lessons. Sometimes building together. Slowly, it became
she would stop me while I was playing, At last, the interested couple found apparent that, with their business and
point to a spot on the sheet music and tell themselves available to view my piano. all the other things young couples try to
me to start from there, but I just couldn’t It began to grow dark as they made their do, they might be struggling a bit. They
do it. I reached a point where I began to way over, so I lit up my condo like grand told me how much they could afford, but
hate showing up for my lessons. One day, central station to make it easier for them I already knew I wanted them to have
I showed up for a lesson and found a man to find. They were a young couple, probably it. I knew my piano would enjoy having
jamming on the showroom piano like in their mid to late twenties. She sat down her play it. We agreed on what they could
Jerry Lee Lewis. I stood and marveled. to the piano and played it for quite a long afford and made arrangements for moving
When I relayed my experience to my it at another time. Just before they left,
instructor, she exclaimed, “Oh, anybody we were standing in front of my condo
can play like that!” However, I couldn’t when a vehicle came around the corner. It
play like that. That was my last lesson pulled right up in front, and I immediately
with her or anyone else. recognized it – it belonged to someone
who the realtor had brought to look at
Though the piano began to take a back my condo. After spotting us in the glow
seat to other things, I still enjoyed having of their headlights, they backed out and
it around. To me, it was still a beautiful drove away. The very next morning, I
work of art. Occasionally, I would sit down was surprised to receive a contract on
and play pieces I had memorized for an my condo for my asking price! Having
hour or two, and I considered resuming lit my home up so brightly for the young
lessons when I retired – but I never did. couple, the buyers had feared someone else
looking to buy my place. They rushed to
A few years ago, as I found myself buy, even though my piano was the only
preparing for yet another move, I thought thing actually being sold.
I would make an effort to sell my piano.
I had it appraised, took some photos and Funny how things work out the way they
posted the sale listing online. A few people do when they do. I got my new home. The
enquired, but everyone was hoping to get people in the car got their new home. My
something for nothing. Finally, I heard piano got its new home. All told, it was
from a couple particularly excited about the sweetest music I had heard in years.
my piano. They had their own business
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 SUNRAYS | 85
