Our day today was all about music.
We began with a 9am graduation recital for my daughter and the other students who’ve finished a Suzuki flute book and are moving on to the next level. My daughter finished Book 1 and played “Long Long Ago” for her recital piece. She looked like a deer in headlights up on stage, and I was a little afraid when she just continued staring unblinkingly at the audience when the accompanist asked if she wanted an intro or just wanted to start playing. But once she heard the piano intro, she jumped right in and played her piece.
I really enjoyed watching the other flutists play this morning. One young woman in particular who’d graduated from Book 8 was amazing to watch. She would raise her eyebrows and move her shoulder a bit, lean forward and then pull back along with the music she was playing. She played a variation of Carnival of Venice that was technically challenging which made the ease with which she played all the more impressive. At some point during the song, the flute just seemed to fade away, and it seemed like the music was emanating from the young woman herself. I’ve had that experience for brief periods of time playing my flute, but I don’t recall ever having it while watching someone else play. I found that it left me feeling satisfied, joyful, and optimistic about my day.
After the recital, my daughter went to two short flute workshops with my husband while I took my son to our Music Together class. As we drove up and he saw the building where the class is held, he started saying, “Me-me! Me-me!” and signing “music” frantically. He practically jumped out of his car seat when I unbuckled him. In class he danced and played the drums, in between stopping to touch base with me and nurse a bit. He smiled the entire time and was especially thrilled when the teacher brought out balls to roll with the beat of one of the songs.
At home this afternoon, my daughter got out her flute and began improvising a little tune, adding in bits and pieces of songs she already knows connected with little trills and rhythms of her own design. This evening before bed, she offered to help me memorize Bourree, the final piece in Book 1. I tried to explain to her that her brain is at a developmental stage better suited to memorization than mine is, but she just took that to mean I needed more help. She clapped while I played, and she helped me by telling me the notes when I lost my place. We both had a fun time.
Usually, I find outings on the weekends stressful and find myself complaining and yelling more than I’d like. Today was a pleasant change from that. There were challenges and stresses, but on balance, I found myself feeling joyful all day, just playing and having fun with my children and our music.
I’ve been making a mental list of things that leave me feeling expansive, connected, and hopeful. Playing music with my children is going on that list.
Imperfect Happiness 