The Last Hurrah

We had four parties at our house in the last two weeks and it rained for every single one. But it didn't matter. We still had a fine time. Last night, Sami's senior recital, was no exception. It was a full house bring up every chair simulcast into the living room affair.

Sami played Liszt, Chopin, Debussy, Grieg and Beethoven. A wonderful program! She got her picture on the book seven wall of fame. She earned every note.

All the Group C alumni came. Can you believe that? And some older alumni as well. After the party Scott played his Fantasy Impromptu for me--these kids don't stop playing the piano when they get jobs and move into the real world. That is what it is all about.

From the pictures, you may wonder if being a really good looking kid is a prerequisite to being in the studio. Remember, we don't screen kids, we only screen parents. . . so there must be some really good looking parents out there. . .

Where does all this beauty come from? It's not skin deep. It's real. It comes from within. In Sami's case, it comes from playing piano for your Grandpa in the memory care nursing home. It comes from being a piano mentor to little Isabella for the summer. It comes from telling each piano honors recital participant something specific that was lovely about his or her performance. It comes from caring about other people more than yourself.

Sami is off to the University of Minnesota to study business. I have no doubt that she will be a fine one, whatever she does. I suggested that she take a piano lesson there and she came back next week and said she signed up.

Like me, Sami has had a few moments of stage fright. Those moments when your brain has left the building and your poor fingers are all alone up on stage. Last night she played to her extended family, her school friends, her boyfriend, the piano kids, studio parents and me.  She nailed it and she was there. She stuck it. A great way to end a great thirteen years. That takes a lot of courage and a lot of poise.

Sami's dad, Michael, was the practicing parent. There he was with all the piano moms at all the dessert parties, putting his two cents in. Because he loves music and he wanted that for his daughter. Sami didn't always love the music--I was told last night that after book two she wanted to quit. But there was that one song, what was it--I'll teach it to everyone--that drew her back. And her father's love. Of music and her. You see--love is contagious. Every time he recommended a youtube video of some pop/folk/classical artist she rolled her eyes. . . but then. . . eventually the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  Love is contagious. When she got to play Jim Croce's "Photographs and Memories" on the big piano with the spotlight on her beautiful face at Eagan High's stage show with the chamber choir--Michael played all the Jim Croce videos for her.

Sami's mother? Always there behind the scenes making chex mix and wiping her teary eyes!  Incredulous that she could have raised two wonderful children and now they are flying away. I think I shall have some little packs of tissues printed up with the Kotrba Piano Studio logo to place on all the chairs of these darn recitals.

Tears of joy. But tender because we love our kids and we will miss them when they fly away.

I know you have already heard it. . . but I'm gonna miss that girl. Rock steady she was--sports, music, academics--family. A beautiful girl with a beautiful heart. I love you Sami.

Susan and Michael--be proud--enjoy the party tonight. Cry all you want. You did good.  I'm so glad I was there for the journey.