Friday, June 29, 2007

Music and Memories

When I hear music, I fear no danger.
I am invulnerable. I see no foe.
I am related to the earliest times,
and to the latest.
-Henry David Thoreau

Music... unlike anything else in my life, I think... rushes memories in and out of my dreamy mind. For some it's smells. For some it's tastes. For me, it's music.

You know what I mean. I know you do. Happy, candy-like tunes bring back memories of the ice cream truck and summer afternoons and dripping treats and sticky arms. "Our" song, when it unexpectedly reaches our ears, brings back lost loves, romantic moments, and forgotten evenings. Certain other songs - or decades of music - bring back the recklessness and rebellion of high school or college. Others call to mind sparkly Christmas trees and long-gone relatives and shiny presents. Music is a powerful conductor of memories. At least in my life.

Perhaps you recall a few weeks ago when I mentioned that I was looking for a piano. Desperate for one is more like it. I've missed having access to one more than I can say. Growing up, I would sit and play for hours. In college, I would sneak into private practice rooms in the music building and steal precious moments playing. I never told anyone and never got caught. (I remember sneaking into a practice room two nights before graduation, pressing my fingers to the keyboard, and finally draping myself over the keys, sobbing my eyes out. I'll bet that piano's warped now.) Yep, it's a huge deal to me to be able to sit at a piano.

So, as it goes, my friend Amber was reading my piano post and emailed me almost immediately. "You can have ours," she said. I didn't believe it. Not really. But yesterday, here it came: the piano and a smiling, bouncing, cheerful-as-always Amber. After it rolled onto the ancient wooden floors of this house and the (cute) movers left, we sat down and played a duet.

It was surreal. A piano. In Freeman House. For me to play. Whenever I want.

It's beautiful. Amber, I'm still stunned, amazed, and ... thrilled ... by your gift. I did sleep last night, but before 6 a.m. I was in there playing Clementi and Beethoven and Moon River. I'm still looking for my Norah Jones sheet music, though, so I can play The Nearness Of You... one of my most favorite songs ever. But no matter. Your piano is one of the most precious things I've ever been given. It is, after all, a gift of memories... both making them and recalling them. You've given me the gift of remembrance and happiness for many, many days to come. How will I ever, ever thank you?

Wishing you all a contended, dreamy, music-and-memory-filled weekend. -Brin

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Brin-

Just hearing you play is thanks enough. I had a really good time while moving the piano. I will be back very soon for my recital!

God Bless!

Am

Anonymous said...

Let's see you cook, play piano, have the most amazing eyes and are an entrepreneur, renovate a house, garden, and did I mention cook? My only question is this

will you marry me?

Aaron L.

Anonymous said...

Hip hip hurray! I am so thankful for your new piano...God gives us the desires of our hearts and usually uses other's to carry out his plan. In this case he used Amber.

Anonymous said...

That's quite some friend you have.. So glad to hear that a piano found it's home in Freeman house. Now you can play to your heart's content..and oh how sweet it must be to have the house come alive as you "tickle the ivories"!
Wish I could hear you play! Can't you do a "sound thing" on your blog??? Technology never stops, does it??

Debra from Bungalow said...

What a lovely post. I was thrilled to read it.....it gave me goose bumps....You've been so blessed.

My 16yo grandson plays piano so beautifully.....he's been taking lessons since he was a little one.

I don't play but it must feel wonderful to create such beautiful sounds.

Anonymous said...

What an unbelieve gift! I'm soooo excited for you!!!

By the way, I came here through the CWO blogring.

I am a Piano, Flute, and Clarinet teacher. I can soooo appreciate your love for music.

Great blog you have here, I'll be back again!
God bless :)

Anonymous said...

I wish I could hear your music :-)

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Congrats on the new piano, Brin. That's so neat. I took lessons for 5 years growing up, but I am so rusty, I wouldn't be able to peck anything out these days. Have fun with it!

RHoda

Adrienne said...

I am thrilled you have your piano. And what a wonderful gift from a friend! I don't know what I would do without my piano. Your post on music rings true with my thoughts. I am at the piano nearly every day and I find such comfort and relaxation there. Keep playing and enjoy every minute of it.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous,

Run
Run Like your Life depends on it.
Don't look back
Run

Anonymous said...

I love, love, loved our visit, and you never did play on it for us, so I'm so glad I heard you playing while I waited for you to hear my knock on the front door. It was beautiful. Thanks for a fun evening! Jamie thinks you're awesome, too, and was totally inspired to do something new in her room. Auntie M

Lallee said...

What an absolutely beautiful gift of friendship! This is a gift that won't go wasted, I'm sure.

Mary said...

Hi Brin - I'm back from Canada and trying to catch up on everyone's news. Looks like lots going on around the Freeman House, and you busy as ever - and a marriage proposal to boot!!! Your life is amazing.
Wow - the piano gift, how fabulous, I'm thrilled for you and your dear friend Amber is an angel. I can almost hear your music coming across the miles - "play on" I say!!!
Fondly, Mary.

Brin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Brin, I"m SO happy you got your piano, now Freeman House will be filled with magic even more so! I too think music brings back memories, does for me, what a powerful spirit! Now if only you could add your musical talent to your blog for us all to enjoy! lol

Brin said...

Hey everyone,

Thanks so much for the piano love! What fun! God's blessing in ways I never even could have dreamed of.

By the way, that anonymous going on about "run" cracked me up but disturbed someone else. Don't worry. It was probably from my ex. (Gotta love a creepy guy that has nothing better to do on a Friday night than read my blog and leave anonymous messages to try to spook guys away, right?) Makes you wonder... if I'm so terrible, why does he waste his time reading about me? :D

ANYwho, thanks again for the kindness! I'm looking into audio features this weekend. That'll be fun!

-Brin