Piano practice

Raina is learning the piano, and she likes to practice some mornings before school.

Today was one of those mornings.

I was pouring my coffee when I heard her jump out of bed, scamper into the guest room still clad in her jammies, and proceed to turn on her keyboard (it's a full-sized Casio I bought used from my best friend, Russ, when I was working on my last folk album).

She turned it on and started to play her practice lesson...and I caught myself stopping the morning routine.

I stopped putting away last night's dishes.

I stopped making breakfast.

I stopped making lunches.

I stopped wiping Story's face off.

I stopped making my StageofLife.com to do lists.

I stopped spontaneous client brainstorming.

I stopped drinking my coffee.

I stopped everything.

I stopped.

And I just listened.

I heard Raina playing with both hands today as she breezed through this week's songs. As a musician who knows enough guitar to write his own songs and enough piano to pick out chords, I marveled at the music spilling down the stairs. My 1st grade daughter was loving her piano. She was loving the act of making music. For a 38-year-old Daddy who always dreamed of being a Rock Star...I was in heaven living through her music.

I could care less about being a Rock Star now.

Just give me my daughter's music and a warm cup of coffee and I'm the happiest guy in the world.

Till tomorrow...

--Eric

P.s. The hand-drawn note I put in Raina's lunch was a direct inspiration from today.