December 16, 2024
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6. NIV
I recently attended our granddaughter Anne-Sophie’s 5th grade band concert, along with her parents, Rod, and Aunt Kristie. Later that evening Kristie sent a video of Seth and Anne-Sophie playing a piano duet, with her younger sister trying to get into the show under it. The sight and sounds brought tears of joy to my eyes. When Seth, or Anne-Sophie, or Marie-Hélène play I think about how much my mom would enjoy it, and look at their hand positions and hear her say “they are naturals).
It’s hard to know where the musical ability came from. I can trace it back as far as my great maternal grandfather, Frederick Carl Albrecht, Sr. He spent his early years in Labrador where his parents were German Moravian missionaries. After returning from the mission field he emigrated to the US and arrived in Sewickley, PA teaching music at an academy in the same small town. His son, my grandfather, was Frederick Carl Albrecht Jr. He played percussion, the base drum in particular, and marched in parades with a band of WW1 Veterans. My grandmother Mildred Helm Albrecht was an accomplished pianist and organist and accompanied the silent movies across the Ohio River from Sewickley. My mom, Joan Albrecht Findlay was also a pianist and organist. She taught piano lessons and played the church organ. I took one year of piano, and then took up the trumpet, later the guitar, and later still the ukelele, in addition to singing in choirs for most of my life. My husband Rod is a decent pianist (a well-kept secret) who also learned the French Horn and Accordion. Our older son, Seth, is an excellent pianist, and also played French Horn. He accompanied the choir in one church, and a season as music director in another church.
When our granddaughter Anne-Sophie was a wee little baby, Seth would lay her on a blanket on the top of his baby grand piano, and would play and sing to her. When I saw the video of the piano duet, I saw a bigger picture of how deep the music goes in our family, and imagined a small family reunion in heaven as the generations past enjoyed the moment. I had a good joyful cry!
The interesting thing is that Anne-Sophie is adopted. We’ve no idea about her biological musical roots, but we do know that her exposure to music has opened another generation to joy. The joy of music is in her mind and in her bones. And by extension, I am filled with joy as well.
Yesterday was the 3rd Sunday in Advent, the Sunday when the pink candle of joy is lit. Open yourself to joy this week. Be on the lookout for it. Spread some around by catching a small child’s eye and getting them to smile back at you. Be extra nice to a store clerk who is dealing with Christmas Crazed shoppers. Watch one snow flake land on your glove. Turn on some music and dance, singing at the top of your voice. Set the intention to pay attention to moments, however fleeting, of joy. When they happen, commit to memory what you experienced at that moment.
Enjoy the link to the duet. Have a joyful week. Anne
Wayfinding 