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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Mother (as in maternal parent) (04/24/08)
I stopped in my tracks, teetering on my tiptoes to maintain my balance, as though one more step would have placed me in a mud puddle ankle deep. I just stood there, out of breath from the run home from school, drinking in the sight of this mammoth, brown object parked in the living-room of my home. It was nearly the length of the wall it was placed against – much larger than the articles of furniture around it.
I had known it was to be delivered that day, hence the rush home in record time. The adults all confirmed its purchase, but the lack of excitement in their affirmation made me a little skeptical. But there it stood, a new – rather a brand new piano. I had never seen furniture shine like that before. Of course, I had probably never seen new furniture before. Nevertheless, this baby shined like a waxed floor.
About to take another step closer, I was nearly spun around on my heels by my younger sister who flew past me, diving for the rectangular stool that matched the piano in color and shine. Raising her elbows shoulder high, she flailed her arms and fingers up and down the keyboard. Keeping her head and eyes focused straight ahead, while pretending to read a sheet of music, she excitedly broke the silence of our home with this magnificent, wonderful thing!
With my hands on my hips, I patiently allowed this “magnifico musico” to continue for at least fifteen seconds. At eight years of age, and a whole year her senior, I demanded the stool and was immediately given half. Reluctantly, I joined in on “music” that brought pain to even my young ears. It did not matter, we now owned a beautiful, new Rich’s Department store, piano – the only one on the block.
The piano was actually purchased by our mother. She was now in heaven
making music of her own. After two long years of suffering, she had finally
succumbed to cancer nine months earlier. Somehow, she had saved the money and left strict instructions with family members, that it was to be used for this purpose.
We knew, my sister and I, we were the owners of that piano - and unlike people and pets, it could not be taken from us. Mother loved music and enjoyed listening to musical instruments of all kinds, though she never played a note. It was her hope that her children would share that love and learn to play the piano in order to propagate that passion. It was perhaps my first realization of the affect art can have on a person, whatever the genre.
I’d like to say that the piano opened the world of classical concerts or musical composition to me; but in truth, after a few short years of lessons, I realized my interests and talents lied elsewhere. Nevertheless, the memories of learning to play those early songs will never leave. I play songs pretending that Mother listened, and applauded at the end with a standing ovation.
Over the years, music has become a kind of spiritual oasis, a place where I am the recipient of its inspirational moods. To share these pains and passions,however, I must reach for pen and pad; which at the moment lies beside my favorite writing chair on the rectangular piano stool - next to the brown piano.
There is of course in every artist, the urge toward self-expression – a need to create; but only when it is shared does it really become art. It then becomes the experience of others, who in turn want to share it’s magic. My generation coined a phrase “turn you on” when expressing the desire to share something with some
one. To share art is an almost “holy” practice.
Perhaps it is time we give tribute to an unsung constituency of admirers who toil in the vineyards of art; a group whose vocations enable us to share in our aesthetic fortunes, like the owner of the art gallery, who has never painted a stroke; the librarian, who has never published a word; the disc-jockey, who can’t carry a tune.
And the mother, who saved the grocery change.
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This article has been read 882 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Sara Harricharan
05/01/08
I enjoyed this piece! Especially the line where you said that art only becomes art when we share it. How true that is for us writers! Thank you for sharing this lovely piece. ^_^
Allan Morelos
05/02/08
I like the first part of this article. Your description can stir something in the heart. Thanks for sharing.
Nancy Quinn
05/03/08
What an inspiring piece, I really enjoyed this.

"a need to create; but only when it is shared does it really become art."

This sentence was my favorite - very well done. Thanks for sharing this!
Carol Sprock
05/04/08
Your snippet of narrative for an opening was picture perfect. I can feel you holding yourself back. I also liked the idea that sharing art is a holy practice. I would like to see something about your mom sharing the piano as a kind of holy practice (obviously you got my imagination running!)
Leticia Caroccio
05/05/08
I enjoyed this article. It brings back great memories of our first piano, though ours wasn't brand new, but awesome just the same. I loved the line: To share art is an almost "holy" practice. I agree, especially if we believe in our Creator and that we were made in His image. We, too, are called to create. Every fiber of our beings cry out and respond to Him. This is true worship.

My only critique: I would try to space apart my paragraphs a little more. It makes for easier reading. Nicely done, though.
Tessy Fuller
05/06/08
I really think with a little more time on this - this could be a magnificent writing. You had some really great thoughts, lines, descriptions. My favorite line was the end - "like the owner of the art gallery, who has never painted a stroke; the librarian, who has never published a word; the disc-jockey, who can’t carry a tune. And the mother, who saved the grocery change." You really captured a unique window of those overlooked people that make such a big difference.

As said above, definitely need to space between your paragraphs. Also, in some places you almost try to fit in too much. I would maybe shorten the lead in paragraphs a tad and focus a litte more on weaving in how your mother was such a great influence. Just a suggestion.

I really enjoyed this. There was just a lot of passion in it and it was very creative. I love when people can capture that angle that others miss - and you did that with this. Thanks for sharing.
Karen Story
05/07/08
Wonderful piece. Great story. Thanks for sharing and good luck!
Lyn Churchyard
05/08/08
What wonderful memories are woven into this entry which was a delight to read.

Your gift for writing is obvious and you kept me hooked from the first sentence to the last word.

Not having a space between the sentences would be the only thing I could 'red ink' on this entry. Well done, great job.
Holly Westefeld
05/09/08
I concur with the above praise.

One note for future reference...
"I realized my interests and talents lied elsewhere."
"Lied" should be lay.

While I admit that it was the "piano" in your title that drew me in, I think more suspense would have been maintained at the beginning if you had left it at "The Magnifico," or perhaps just "Magnifico."
Your ending was perfect.