As far back as I can remember, music has been an important thread in the tapestry of my life.   If the truth be told, it is likely so many of the threads, that if it wasn’t there, my life would somehow unravel.

Growing up, our house was filled with some type of music every day.   Our parents played many records they enjoyed and often danced to special songs.   At an early age, my sister and I showed an interest in music which my parents quickly acted upon and before we knew it, my sister was taking organ lessons and I was taking accordion lessons.  (Ok, I saw that smirk… no laughing aloud!)   Although I was decent at the accordion (and even accompanied someone in a friends church once), it didn’t take long before I too wanted to learn to play the organ.

My dad was quite talented musically, although I don’t believe he ever had a single lesson.  He had an incredibly natural ear for music and would sit down (mostly after a cocktail) and start playing his favorite songs on our organ.   The songs were played with incredible emotion and he would often sing along in a booming baritone voice.  Every so often, he would sing a heartfelt rendition of “That Old Irish Mother of Mine” typically accompanied by tears running down his face.  You see, my burly, just about six foot father, with hands bigger than you may have ever seen, was birthed (as legend tells it) at 13 lbs. on a creek bank in Oklahoma by a 5 foot-nothin’ tiny Irish lady.    So each verse and chorus of the song brought back a myriad of memories to a man who didn’t usually show such emotion.   I believe that each time I heard that song, I gained more of an appreciation for what music could (and should) do.

We’ve all heard the common phrase, “You are what you eat”.   But have you heard, “You are what you listen to?”    (Think about that for a minute).   What would that say about you?  (Take another minute).    In full disclosure, what it would say about me is that I’m quite eclectic as I do truly appreciate many types of music.  Right now for example, I have soft music from a Jim Chappell Pandora station playing because it calms me and allows creativity to flow without distracting me.  However, if I’m cleaning house, my neighbors will tell you she’s warming up her vocals with an often loud rendition of one of many favorite southern gospel songs.    And, if my husband is cooking, and if it’s Italian food, you will smell the garlic before you enter the front door and you’ll hear him singing (or whistling) along with his “Sunday Gravy” playlist of Dean Martin, Jerry Vale, Michael Amante and other Italian crooners.

What I think we can all agree on, is that music connects people.   It often connects us with each other, but it can also connect us with memories (good and painful). What I cherish the most is how it can immediately connect me with God.   I have a long list of joys in my life, but where I feel the most genuine, the most alive and the most passionate is when I’m connecting with a gospel song.   It can be in church, in my home and often it is in my car.   For me, it’s how I easily and comfortably develop my personal relationship with Christ.    I can talk to him, praise him and glorify His name, word by word, chorus by chorus and song by song.

I’ve been blessed to inherit some of my father’s natural ear for music.   It did make learning to read music a challenge for me, as I recall our beloved organ teacher telling me, “Miss Dede, you played that well, but you did not play what I wrote for you to play on the sheet music“, and she was right.   Through many years of playing as a church organist, accompanying a choir or being part of a contemporary Christian group, what I performed was always a blend between what I saw on the page and what I heard in my heart.

For many years I had a piano in my home.  Several years ago I gave it to my oldest grandson who I’m pleased to say is acting on the music gene he was blessed to receive from both sides of his parents’ heritage.   For many years I’ve envisioned a baby grand (player) piano in my formal dining room (ha!) but it hasn’t shown up there just yet.    Several years ago, however, I heard a powerful story about the white and black keys of a piano.    It is best told by gospel singer, Wintley Phipps, so I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch this You Tube video and performance about one of our most loved and revered hymns.    I promise it will inspire you (and you may just learn a thing or two, as I did).

I’m dedicating this post to my son Justin, as Amazing Grace is his favorite gospel song.   He also inherited my music gene.   We love you Justin, and always remember… Music is the bridge between heaven and earth.

Wintley Phipps, Amazing Grace, Gaither Concert, Carnegie Hall

https://youtu.be/qNuQbJst4Lk

Life is like a piano, the white keys represent happy, and the black show sadness. 

But as you go through life’s journey, remember the black keys also make music. 

(Author unknown)