Why stick around?
by Elouise
My fingers wait expectantly
Pause, take a deep breath and begin
A brief list of reasons to stick around:
No.
A brief list of reasons I’m needed:
Maybe.
Trying to get my bearings
In this age of approaching death
With scores of unanswered questions
Littering every inch of every path I’ve ever taken
And yet
I felt needed back then
Fully awake each day to challenges
That meant something to somebody
Things that would make a difference
Is that all this life is about? No.
Perhaps I’m going at this the wrong way
Maybe I need myself
Just as I am
Not to be a hero
Or the perfect aging-with-grace senior
But to love myself
Especially those aging parts that give me grief
Not so they’ll go away and leave me alone
Though I confess to the occasional daydream
But because they need me
They need me to go with them
Through this brilliant terrifying valley
Of aging and dying with or without dignity
Besides,
Who else would hear the true beat of my heart
From the inside out
Or sit in the attic loving the silence of treetops
Dancing in the wind
Or play the piano feeling waves of music
Flooding my soul
Or understand the sweet comfort of falling asleep
While leaning on D’s shoulder
©Elouise Renich Fraser, 11 April 2019
Photo of a German forest at sunset, found at pixabay.com
beauty-full…yes….you’re on to something, Elouise! xo
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Thank you, dear Nancy! 🙂
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Is there a way that you could send us some of your piano playing? Maybe a video with sound via your blog? Just wondering what you would play to accompany the picture you posted Elouise. Please don’t think of this as a “have to get this done”
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Great question, Dave. Bach’s Prelude in C Major comes to mind. Simple and elegant. Often used to accompany a vocal version of Ave Maria. Single notes moving up and down the keyboard one by one, ending in a simple, graceful line. No grand finale. Just a quiet ending. Here’s a nice version from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMnJQUJ5iVE.
As for making a recording, I won’t say no and I won’t say yes. How’s that for ambiguity? 🙂
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Love it
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Basking in the delight opened by reading this… =)
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Oh….Thanks so much for this wonderful comment! 🙂
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I love the last few lines the best, I think sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees, not realizing the good things blocking our view are the trees, wishing you a day of many poplar,oak,pine and lofty maple goodness😊🌴
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Thank you, dear Kim! 🙂
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I love that Bach prelude! Simple enough that even I can play it! And I love you, Elouise, and your wise words. Glad that you are sticking around just as you are. Virtual hugs, Nancy
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Thank you, Nancy! Virtual hug received and reciprocated. Isn’t is wonderful that some of the most beautiful pieces are simple? Do you play your flute anymore? No need to answer; just thinking about some of those lovely flute-piano pieces we played together back in the good old days! 🙂
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Liked it very much. Thanks!
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You’re welcome, Clay!
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Beautiful beautiful beautiful! There are many reasons why you should stick around. Your words are one of them.
-A fellow pianist 🙂
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Thank you, dear Lea!
Isn’t the piano fabulous????? I can’t imagine life without it. 🙂
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