Motherhood and Musicianship

The voice of your mother was the first instrument you ever heard.

Perhaps she became your first piano teacher; perhaps she became a student like you, sharing the experience of learning.

Perhaps she knew that 20% of kids learn to play a musical instrument, but 80% of adults wish they did.

Perhaps this is why she didn't let you quit right when it became demanding.

Perhaps she listened to you practice, and wondered what would be so bad about letting you quit, after all.

Perhaps she loved and applauded for you whether you played flawlessly in recitals or your performance was fraught with mistakes.

Perhaps motherhood was a years-long performance with little to no opportunity for practice, no certificates or trophies to be won, often before the harshest of critics. Perhaps she showed up reliably for those performances, anyway.

To the true virtuosos who breathe joy and wonder into the very experiences that demand the most of them...

Happy Mother's Day.