My Grandmother's Hands

My Grandmother's Hands.......

   My grandmother's name was Lizzie.....Grandma Lizzie  lived in a farmhouse in Kentucky with  no running water, or electricity, she struggled through WWI, The Great Depression, WWII, raised a family of 9 children and she was rich beyond belief....rich in spirit, in soul, in character.  She never complained about the arthritis in her hands or the cancer that was consuming her life.  Music brought her hope and gave her strength.

  As a young 7 year old girl I was drawn to her, not just because she was my grandma, but because I felt she was an earth angel to me in so many ways.  My grandmother would ask me to put her thumbs on middle C of her old upright piano, then her  fingers would dance across the keys playing ragtime, gospel and classical music.  What made this act even more amazing, was that my grandmother was blind , she was missing two fingers and she couldn't read music....it was all by ear.  My grandmother could hear a tune once or twice and sit down at the upright, with the yellowed keys and musty smell, and launch into the most beautiful music I have ever heard.  Each note filled the room, filled her soul, lifted my heart and left me with the most cherished memories of Grandma Lizzie.

Even though my grandmother passed away when I was 8 years old, I feel her with me each and every day.  I can't help but think she is the gentle breeze that gives me inspiration in my songwriting...a blessing I am grateful for each day of my life.I hope you all have your own Grandma Lizzie in your life....that silent voice that whispers to you.....that memory of a time gone by that dances through your heart when you least expect it.....that musical note that brings a tear of to your eye and reassures you, everything will be okay.

Thank you, Grandma, for your ability to see through darkness, for your heart that lives on in a little 7 year old girl ,who  is now a Grandma herself.......I pray there is an upright piano for you in heaven......