This morning I thanked my Grandpa Jones for having the foresight to purchase such a beautiful piano. As I sat and played a simple tune before coming to work, my mind settled and I felt grateful.
In 1936 on Christmas Eve, my Grandpa Jones had a Whitney Baby Grand delivered to their home in Cedar Rapids Iowa. He put a huge red bow on the left front leg. Grandmother had to stay upstairs until Christmas morning. Coming down the stairs, Grandmother cried. Thankful tears. He could not have known then that one day it would be here in Florida with me and how much it would mean to me to be guardian of such a family heirloom.
Growing up, holiday celebrations always included the piano. On my dad’s side of the family I remember as a child falling asleep under my Grandmother Schnittjer’s grand piano at Christmas time while all my aunts, uncles and cousins sang carols around it. It is still magical to think of now.
An appreciation for music, art and beauty runs in my family – I think it runs in every family. I am the youngest of 3 girls from a town of 500 in rural Iowa. There was a traveling piano teacher that gave lessons at the Methodist church. We would ride our bikes to meet him there early in the morning on Wednesdays to take lessons. I didn’t appreciate it so much then but I do today.
Loving memories are gifts of the heart.
Hugs and love,
Candace
