Papa Haydn's dead and gone
but his memory lingers on.
When his heart was full of bliss
he wrote merry tunes like this.
After all these many years, I still remember those words and plunking out that little ditty on the big upright piano in our front hall at 2211.but his memory lingers on.
When his heart was full of bliss
he wrote merry tunes like this.
We had a piano. Someone needed to play it. So I was “chosen” for piano lessons.
During WWII, Daddy served as a platoon sergeant in the Philippines where he spent so much time in the jungle that according to him, his boots began to rot off his feet. Once as he led his platoon in pursuit of the enemy, he recalled coming upon an abandoned shack. Inside the dilapidated structure there was a piano. One of his soldiers sat down and played it for them and Daddy said he and all the men cried as their spirits were lifted by familiar music from home. At that point he decided, if and when he was able to return to the states to Mother and baby, Buddy, he would someday get a piano for their home. It was their first big acquisition for our old home place at 2211. I spent several years practicing on it. I must not have advanced too much because that ditty and “Falling Leaves” are the only ones I remember.
I do remember my piano teacher, Mrs. Bell. Her home was across the street so there was no “escape” as Mother would watch from our porch as Mrs. Bell awaited me on hers. She did have fun Christmas parties for us. All of her students got to sit at card tables set up in her living room---just like little grownups. We had candy and played a Cootie® game and another game she created with Mr. Potato Head®. Year after year it never varied but we liked it just the way it was----another lingering memory, I guess.
She also had recitals for us. I don’t remember the music but I remember it was on a stage. I also remember that I got to wear a long dress and had matching bows for my pigtails---my mother loved that part.
I wonder what lingering memories my children and grandchildren will have. Will they know what was important to me? Will they remember that God’s word filled my heart with bliss?
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Let this scripture linger with you awhile today.
