August 19, 2010

Musical Miracle

Something completely strange and unexpected happened last night that I will try my best to explain.  We were totally wiped out from a long and tiring day.  I could spend a lot of time typing out what we did yesterday, but just thinking about it makes me too tired so I won't do that.  Just trust me, it was a lot.  T came home and was equally pooped.  In fact he ate and went straight to the bedroom to rest a bit.  Turns out that training for a marathon is burning his candle at both ends.  So our goal last night was to get everyone down early.  We need to start that anyways to prepare them for school coming up (hello... early morning seminary!).

I was lying on the couch, half asleep myself, and with slurred speech I was trying to verbally round everyone up for scriptures and prayer (it's our nightly ritual, and don't be too impressed... it's usually just us reading and the kids having crazy-tune-out time at our feet).  Big Boy was beside me and he was doing annoying things like squishing my upper arms and playing with my elbow tissue.  I keep casting silent spells on him that he will one day have a child who does this same thing to him when he is tired and cranky.  If I am still blogging by then, I will let you know how that spell turns out.  A couple more kids were rolling around on the floor and my husband felt his way to the front room to join us.  I don't really know what possessed me to do this but I asked my 16 year old if he would please go down and get his violin out.  He had just finished practicing his violin, and had been sounding awesome- sorry if I brag here but he's working on Bach's Concerto for two Violins and he's almost there. I wanted him to get it out so that he could play a mom-assigned children's hymn duet with his younger brother.  They have been coerced by the violin teacher and me to learn this piece as the first of many hymns to play for about 20 minutes as part of their sister's baptism in Feb.  I felt that they should start learning these songs early since their teacher will have them busy learning her songs this winter.  The first duet is the children's song titled I am a Child of God.  It is a favorite hymn of mine.  I sat there and bugged my son to get his violin out again and he was just not having any of it.  I must have asked and nagged for about 10 minutes.  All the while thinking we should just be headed for bed.  I don't know why I felt the need to nag.  We Mothers just can't help it sometimes.  So I turned to the 11 year old violinist who is much more willing to do stuff for me and he got up and got his violin out pretty much right away, putting his older brother to shame.  Then brotherly competition set in, and within minutes Big Boy was getting his instrument out and showing up Little Boy.  They played the duet quite well and when they weren't arguing over the mistakes the other one made you could really feel a sweet spirit in the room.  I can't wait for them to start leaning more hymns for the baptism.  It will be such a nice tribute to their sister who they torment 95% of the time.

After Mom's request was out of the way they continued playing various pieces for the next 40 minutes.  The other kids joining in playing their new pieces on the piano. It was so nice to be entertained without the need for a computer or a TV or a video game.  We were almost tuning in to the simpler time of Pa Ingalls lulling his daughters to sleep out on the prairie.  Except there was the electric lights, air conditioning and the hum of the dishwasher in the background.  T turned to me and said something unforgettable.  He said "those lessons are worth every penny."  And I have to say I agree.  The real miracle is how the spirit in our home perked up and changed because we all shared in the wonderful gift of music.  And it didn't have to be Bach to be wonderful.

If by some miracle I get a chance to record them playing this tune sometime I will post it here for posterity.

14 comments:

CB said...

That gave me chills - I think music really does bring the spirit when played so beautifully.
I love that your boys have taken up the violin and play duets together - you don't see that too often.
I can imagine that is a beautiful sight to a mother and a sweet sound in your home:-D

Carrie Stuart said...

That's so awesome! I know I feel the same whenever I hear one of the kids playing a hymn on piano for FHE...or just picking out something from Coldplay or Billy Joel because they are really motivated to learn it. It makes the frustration of the nagging and driving to and from practices all those years SO worth it!

Teachinfourth said...

Good for you for enduring, cracking the whip, and not giving in. When they are all playing at famous opera houses and music halls they can give you the credit you will have undoubtedly earned...

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

What a lovely post about a lovely moment! I have been enjoying my son playing guitar over watching tv all summer! It really does uplift your spirit!

CSIowa said...

Smile.

Eileen said...

Some of the very best moments we've had have been lately when Adam gets out his guitar and we have impromptu sing alongs.

They're the best!

Tracy P. said...

Completely epic.

Melody said...

Love it. We've been mulling piano lessons for Ella (and maybe me!) and feeling really poor when we think about it. But maybe we'll just force ourselves to do it.

c a n d a c e said...

That's so great, Aunt Kelly! Love this post. I really wish I knew how to play something besides the clarinet - ya know, something PRETTY :)
Kudos to you - Mom of the Year.

Connie said...

Music really does bring the spirit and you're right, music lessons are worth every penny!
What a great ending to a long, tiring day!

Emily Norby said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who casts silent spells on her children.

It makes me wonder if my mom did the same to me...

Tabitha Blue said...

Oh this is so beautiful!!! LOVE it, I could almost feel the sweet spirit and the peace just from reading about it!! Way to go mama. That is awesome. :)

~Tabitha

Natalie Daines said...

I call these kinds of days, mommy pay days...few and far between, but so worth it! Happy for you and your musical/cute family!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous! Music really does bring the spirit into the home. Good job, Mom!