In mid-September, my son, youngest daughter and hubby, granddaughter age 4, came to visit for my birthday.  It was the first time I've seen them in two years and their quick weekend trip was to help do some needed repairs, visit, shop, and generally check on old ma.  All those things were done but the biggest help was reconnecting my stereo equipment, I haven't heard in four years.  The two guys worked all morning moving furniture, discussing, deciding how best to serve my needs and finally, it was done.  They put in a tape, turned it on and I had tears rolling down my face from sheer joy---they were embarrassed.  My life again is filled with hundreds of tapes, classical, pop, easy listening, and cantatas from my various church choirs.  It's a big high!

During WWll my parents got their entertainment by gathering with friends and creating their own dance.  I remember a house with the rug rolled up and people dancing.  For me, I always crawled under the piano and sat listening to this man make wonderful sounds all night.  That's how music found me, under the piano.  It wasn't long until my parents were given a rickety old upright and I started on the journey that became my life.  As the years progressed, people saw a talent in me and nurtured it even when I wanted to go play with the neighbor kids, still had to do an hour of practice first.  After five ears of this, my dad took me to a large music store in Detroit and let me pick out the piano I wanted.  Of course, I chose a grand and it sits in my livingroom today.  My first love and forever mine.  In junior high school, I started learning organ at my church and so graduated to church organist part time with my teacher the true organist.  Over the years I've had some incredible opportunities and experiences that have seen me through a lifetime of varying situations, divorce, raising six kids, working sometimes 3 jobs to make ends meet.  The one constant has been and continues now to be music.  I have directed, played, taught, and enjoyed every magical moment of music in my life.  I feel rich.