My grandmother took my two brothers and me to live with her at 5, 4, and 1 years old, and she was 73. I was the oldest and only girl at 5 years. One day after church, my grandmother took us to lunch. She turned and asked if she bought me a piano would I take lessons and practice? Yes!!!! I couldn’t wait for it to arrive and the day it came I was so happy.

There has been no greater gift in the world, that I have enjoyed throughout life, than playing my piano. I enjoyed taking lessons and also playing by ear. As a teenager, I played at a local Nursing Home and played as the pianist at my church and for many weddings. I played if I was happy or if I had tears streaming down my face. I never knew she listened much less looked at my face when I played. I had a desire to play every day because I loved it so much.

I ended up marrying and we were a Military family, which meant moving often and twice overseas during the 20 years. Every place we moved it moved with us.

We are retired now and it still sits proudly in my home as I continue to enjoy playing.

Each time I play, I think of a loving and kind grandmother who bought me a piano I cherish even today. God allowed her to live to be 96, and I smile as I look at her picture framed on my piano.

*This is a picture of my grandmother and me as we lived with her. It’s framed and sitting on my piano. So blessed!