Old Oak Piano

The old oak piano sits in our living room taking up space. It is no longer used. It is now a lovely very large piece of furniture used for lifting up family photos or a nice addition to the room at Christmas. It lends itself well to decorations...and is certainly perfect for holding an aged Christmas carol songbook. Wonder what that old piano would say if she could talk? Lots of stories and songs housed in that ole' oak frame.

Jim and I purchased it nearly thirty years ago at a garage sale across the street when we lived on Mark Drive. The man that lived there brought old pianos back to life...this one came from the old Caddo school house in Oklahoma and has 1890 somewhere on the back. It never had the best tone...it was always a little twangy...but we loved it. It had character and a history...and we spent money we didn't have to make it ours. Right away it proved to be a challenge due to the weight of the music housed in oak. Jim insisted I decide the first time where I wanted it to sit...because it would not be moved ever again! I believe he has made that declaration on several occasions now.

I resumed my own lessons while the kids were babies...declaring that now that I was an adult I would master the piano. I didn't care for the lessons as a young person...not having the discipline for it...but now that I was older surely I could become a fine pianist. With my old sheet music...I became pretty proficient at a few old tunes. My plunking was for my pleasure only...nothing to brag about or perform for others.

Our family grew and as each child became "of age" we signed them up for piano lessons. Andy was by far our most musical one. He caught on to tunes quickly and memorized them easily. Katie...not so much. She was pretty good...but not disciplined at all with practice. She just wanted to play really well right away ( a feeling I recognized by the way!) Amy....absolutely hated it! My memories of her stomping out of the piano teacher's house still makes me laugh. With hair bouncing, she stomped to the car and slammed the door. She declared for all the world to hear that the piano teacher tooted and she smelled bad...and Amy was done with her! Needless to say...sending her weekly to face the gas chamber was not working and was a waste of money and time. We allowed her to quit. She never looked back...and we saved a few bucks to be sure!

For years and years the piano has been sitting quietly. She still gets her lemon oil bath monthly...but her notes are very out of tune. She sings off key and some of the keys no longer sing at all...like an old woman aging she creaks and squeaks. A couple of times we ran an ad in the paper thinking of selling her....but it felt like selling part of the family...so when we had no takers...we were fine with it. Our attempts were half hearted anyway.

And then....a new little Russell arrived on the scene. Miss Shelby Grace likes to plunk! What baby doesn't...she sits on my lap and we bang together. I still remember "I Dropped my Dolly in the Dirt" and chopsticks...but that is about all. It is enough for Miss Shelby. We "play" for many minutes. New hope for a new Russell. Maybe she will be our piano prodigy...or maybe she will just enjoy the joy of learning an instrument.

I am sure our old oak friend is relieved and revived knowing that she is of use once again. Her future is secure and with the help of a good piano man she will once again sing on key with the help of a child!