My younger brother had
re-arranged the furniture in the house. Because of that, the piano was readily
accessible and no longer used as a storage item. One evening when I was alone
at home, I decided to play the piano. My piano. And it broke my heart to learn
that I had forgotten how to play the piano.
I hadn’t properly played the
piano in close to 15 years now, ever since I left home to study and then to
work. I didn’t take the piano with me because I don’t have a permanent address
as yet. My fingers were rusty, the notes looked foreign and it was a struggle
for me to get through one damn song!
And that got me thinking about
how everything is a matter of perspectives. The piano was a big part of my life
growing up. I had lessons once a week, so I had to practice almost every day. I
remember the numerous excuses I used to give my poor piano teachers; I was the
kid who was most prone to getting cuts, blisters, etc on her fingers!
I remember failing my Grade 7
exam when I was 16 and then giving up on piano for a while. I remember when I
was doing Form 6 I decided that I had to finish Grade 8 otherwise I may never
get the chance again. I remember practicing everyday for 6 months for my Grade
8 exams, on top of studying Form 6, and passing my exams. That taught me that I
could accomplish anything if I really put my mind to it.
But yes, perspectives. Once upon
a time, the piano was a big part of my life. Now it’s all but forgotten. Once
upon a time the things that mattered to me, now seem so silly because there are
bigger things to worry about in life. And I’m sure in 20 years’ time the things
that matter to me now will not matter anymore because I would be facing even
bigger challenges.
It’s all a matter of
perspectives, and yet, when you’re 16, you cannot fathom what kind of problems
you will have to face in the future, so that you think the problems you are
facing at that point in time is the greatest obstacle in your path. But to a 16
year old girl, being there at that time, facing the things she had to face, was
the biggest challenge in her life at that time.
I guess the moral of the story is
that everything and everyone changes. Nothing lasts forever. Even problems don’t
last forever, however difficult or hopeless it may seem at any given time. I
sound like a hypocrite I know. But I’ve always been a good preacher, and I
almost never practice what I preach so what the heck.
Anyway, I haven’t given up on my
piano yet. When I finally (if ever!) get a permanent address, I am moving my
piano over and then me and piano are going to spend some quality time getting
to know each other again. It’s a matter of time before we make music together
again.
