This Thanksgiving, in addition to the four of us who live in this house, we had as a guest my mother-in-law, Helen. She has played the piano since she was a little girl. While very young, she had grabbed the leg of a stove and burned her hand, so she was taught the piano so that she would learn to stretch her hand, to keep the scar tissue on her palm pliable.

About three years ago, both she and my father-in-law became ill and were admitted to the hospital within a couple of days of each other. When each was discharged from the hospital, they took up residence in a rehabilitation facility, and when well enough, moved into an assisted living facility. As you would imagine, it wasn't possible for us to move her piano into the assisted living facility, and she hadn't played since she moved from her house. Unfortunately, my father-in-law passed away last spring, so she is the matriarch of my wife's family.

We bought a piano a few weeks ago, so that my older daughter could take lessons, my wife could resume her playing, and so that I could move up from the keyboard I've been using. Helen, being a lifelong pianist, wanted to see the piano. The only seat in the room where the piano is located is the piano bench, so she took a seat in front of the keyboard, and began to tinker around with the keys. After a minute of so, she started to play "Edelweiss" from "The Sound of Music", and continued to play for about 20 minutes, all from memory. Helen is 82 years old, has to use oxygen, has limited mobility, and is on a battery of medications, and quite honestly, we don't know how many more holidays we will have with her. To hear her play again was something very special.

I just thought y'all would appreciate this.

What a very lovely story, FormerFF. That must have been a tremendous treat for Helen as well. Being able to contribute music to the group must have made her feel great. I hope she can come over and play regularly if she lives near you. Actually, I wonder if her facility has a public piano that she could play on. It seems like many facilities do.

Nancy

Hi, FormerFF,

That was a very interesting and heart warming story.

Happy Thanksgiving from a fellow Georgian! And, tell Helen I said hello.

Best regards,

Rickster

What a great story. What joy for her and for you. If it's possible perhaps you could get a video camera for the next time.

That was an amazing story. I wish I could have heard her play. That must have been an amazing Thanksgiving for you and your family. Thank you for sharing that personal experience with us.

KaylaX

A beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.

That is a wonderful story and a wonderful experience for you and your family. Thanks for sharing it with the group.

What she said - exactly!

Regards, JF