Lessons from Chopin

Enthusiastically The Teenager recalled the highlights of a classical music video he watched in Freshman English class. I listened with interest as he repeated a statistical reference that 3% of the population enjoys classical music, and yet the TED talks video claimed everyone likes classical music they just don't know it yet.

Music is part of my soul, loving everything from old school Fleetwood Mac to new favorites like  "Move like Jagger". And yet I responded ambivalently with..."Ya, I don't love classical music." It's the typical sentence I give when "lukewarm" about a topic...not my best mother moment.

With the Teenager's music reflections floating around in my head the next day, I searched for the video. Something had impassioned my son and I needed to discover for myself what it was. With amazing Internet sleuthing skills I soon found Benjamin Xander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic who delivers a charismatic passionate charge for classical music.

His piano Chopin prelude so beautifully performed was both moving and exhilarating. Xander gave instruction to listen and understand the Vision of the entire prelude and not just the note-to-note.

What the great conductor expresses with keys of the piano ring true. The similarities between life and Chopin emerge....seeing life as an entire journey and not just the joy or pain of the day.

Listen to it and see if you don't feel the same insight. Furthermore, Xander inspires as he humbly asks "Who am I being, that my children's eyes are not shining?" Isn't that lovely...and all from a little Chopin.


While definitely inspired by Benjamin Xander, my greatest satisfaction came from simply listening and learning from my son. Admittedly, I still have much to glean from each of my offspring... including the heavenly one.

As I sit down to this post and write under photos of my soon to be concert pianist grand babies, I can assure you there is Mozart, Vivaldi, and especially Chopin in the background accompanying my thoughts. 

What are you listening to?

Freshman Vocabulary

Do you remember the
21st night of September?
Love was changing the minds of pretenders
While chasing the clouds away

Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing.
As we danced in the night,
Remember how the stars stole the night away
                                September-Earth Wind & Fire

It's September; he made it through the first week of his Freshman year in high school. Just a few of the 9th grade vocabulary words The Teenager will need to know...

Amenable...Although his alarm sounded off approximately five hours earlier than he had been waking during the lazy days of summer, his demeanor was amenable and cooperative.

Cessation...Comfortable summer routines of reading books on Kindle, playing with chickens, tossing around lacrosse balls with a constant barrage of friends, and making banana pancakes came to a complete cessation.



Early morning faces and lighting

 Erudite...Erudite discussions of Algebra, geography, and biology will soon be at the forefront of his thoughts.

Gregarious...There is something about being in high school that releases gregarious swagger in young teenage boys...all to impress the girls.

Ingratiate...He was determined to ingratiate himself with upperclassmen...to prevent getting pounded or stuffed in a locker.

Garrulous...Returning from the first day of school, a garrulous young man spouted quips of lunch, girls, classes, buddies...and more.

Volition...Of his own volition...he started straight into homework without being reminded.

Following dinner...The Teenager and I lay in the cool evening grass chasing the fluffy white clouds with our eyes. We chatted about his first day of high school...friends, hot girls, teachers, and everything else. For a split second I considered running to find the camera to capture the moment. Instantly, I realized I already had.

It is definitely looking to be a winsome year for this new Freshman.

"Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in September
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy day"

A Gig, a Dance and a Griz

As The Teenager began showing serious interest in guitar last summer, he set a note-worthy goal that would take great ambition. He wanted to audition and then play in the year end talent assembly at his middle school.

Ugh, I had to use a flash in these photos...and you know how I hate a flash!

The rock stars as the curtain opened.

While you might think Chet has a frightened expression, he is actually just trying to be COOL...this lasted a few seconds and then broke into his casual smile.

Once their inclusion in the assembly had been announced, the boys arranged practice schedules and worked all on their own to perfect their performance.

The rock stars played a song called "So Cold" by Breaking Benjamin. It was not a simple song to learn and play for a first gig, but the song does has some pretty sweet solos.

Celebrating...after the performance. 

With barely time to shop, shower and splash on some cologne...the Teenager is "handsomed" up for the last dance of middle school. The report from the evening...apparently the DJ didn't play enough slow songs. However, the Teenager danced every one except for the first one. Because no one dances on the first slow dance...that's just uncool!

The thoughtful pose.

Three years ago he unassumingly entered middle school. Ten years old and fresh from the tragedy of losing his sister, life had changed in an instant...as it did for all of us. A childhood that would be defined by this one event.

With confidence, ease and a bunch of new friends... high school begins in the Fall. The Teenager remains a source of my strength and my hero. Logan High...say hello to your newest Grizz!