bye bye piano

Do you remember the beautiful baby grand piano I've had since I was 9? Here's a picture to refresh your memory:



Yesterday, we sold it and now our front room is depressingly lonely without it. I know I know, you're thinking, "If you're so sad Kat, why did you sell it?" Well, it was a family choice, and we sold it to help out with finances. I won't lie... the night before, I played it one last time and cried my eyes out through every single song. Then my tears made it hard for me to see, so I just sat there and stared at the piano.

I kept thinking of all the memories that involve that piano. I remember when our family moved into a bigger house, one that would accommodate a piano of this size. I would sit in the room where it was going to be. We got the piano bench almost 2 weeks before the piano arrived and I would sit on the bench and play the "air-piano" gracefully and wonder what it would be like to play a really nice piano like that. (Remember, I was 9). I played the piano for many wonderful years. I learned how to really play the piano and get better at it. I would play songs and my sister, Lizzie would sing to them. Some of my fondest memories were playing the piano for her and listening to her angelic voice.

I also taught piano to a few students when I was in highschool to earn a little extra money. I loved watching the learning curve of each of my students and seeing them progress. I felt so grateful to be able to have a piano in my home that I could use for good. I remember playing duets with my cousin Kim, and performing for our highschool talent show, and other times playing in sacrament meeting at church.

When I got married I wondered what my parents would do with our piano. For a very long year, the piano sat in storage before my parents bought their house here in Utah. Then it was moved into their home and every other Sunday I would provide my family with "Sunday Entertainment" which meant playing a bunch of hymns and other church music to serenade them after dinner.

Travis and I bought our first home last year in June. We weren't in our house but a few days when my parents finally gave in and decided to let me have the piano and it was moved the next day. I watched anxiously as the piano mover brought the piano into my home. After it was tuned and cleaned, I played almost every day.

Very precious and almost sacred moments involve me sitting at the piano and shedding lots of tears. When I was frustrated or sad, I would play the piano. When I was happy and rejoicing, I would play the piano. There wasn't a time when I didn't really want to play the piano.

I know that I will have a piano in my home again sometime in the future, but for now, I will have to do without. I understand that this may seem a little melodramatic, but it's not the piano that I will miss, it's the opportunities to play it, and learn new songs and practice for playing the piano in church. I'll miss the memories I shared with my family.

I'm grateful for my knowledge of knowing how to play the piano. It has been a blessing to me and has given me many opportunities to serve in the church. My piano teacher, Sister Jones became a great friend and confidant throughout my life. I'm grateful to her and the many others that helped me to learn this great skill.

It's just a piano and I know that I shouldn't be so sad about selling it, but it really had great sentimental value for me. It went to a very wonderful and loving home. The lady who bought it from us is an amazing musician and I know she will get much use out of the piano and someday I hope she will pass it along to one of her children who is also very musically talented. For now, I will do without a piano until sometime in the future. As for what to do next, I'm trying to figure out how to fill the empty space in my living room and metaphorically, my heart.