Have you ever heard a seven year old boy play the violin?!...no wait. Scratch that. Have you ever heard a cat get his tail slammed in a door really hard?! For months we have lovingly endured the beautiful "music" that has echoed through our home as our two older boys have practiced for their big spring recital. The neighbor's dog howls, birds stop singing all together while the boys scratch away on those four tiny strings that amazingly make such an ear piercing statement. It's a catch twenty two of sorts...they have to practice to keep up with what their teacher has given them but at the same time it almost makes our ears bleed when they do.
Their concert was last night. A whole group of adorable kids sat on the stage and waited for their turn. Our two boys were dead last which meant we had to sit and wait as our hearts began to beat faster. We grew more nervous with each student until finally - it was Ethan's turn. He stood up with the biggest smile on his face and put his violin up to his chin. With his juice stained tie, he focused on his music in front of him and began to play. I heard the moms behind us giggle and whisper to each other saying, "Isn't he the cutest thing you ever saw?" which is really "Mom code" for "Oh this poor little kid is just awful!" Ethan screeched through the song of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (we think) and finished his song with an even bigger smile than when he started. He was thrilled. We all cheered and clapped and he went back to his seat with his chest held high and a grin from ear to ear.
We get to turn in their violin tomorrow (Thank You Lord Jesus) and have a reprieve through the summer. I know it's not about how well they do or don't play. We want the kids to grow up with a sense of school, sports and music but I don't know if we can take another year of it. What I do know is that when he was finished playing last night and he sat on the stage, so proud of his mystery song, it was better than the most beautiful music I had ever heard in my life.
Their concert was last night. A whole group of adorable kids sat on the stage and waited for their turn. Our two boys were dead last which meant we had to sit and wait as our hearts began to beat faster. We grew more nervous with each student until finally - it was Ethan's turn. He stood up with the biggest smile on his face and put his violin up to his chin. With his juice stained tie, he focused on his music in front of him and began to play. I heard the moms behind us giggle and whisper to each other saying, "Isn't he the cutest thing you ever saw?" which is really "Mom code" for "Oh this poor little kid is just awful!" Ethan screeched through the song of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (we think) and finished his song with an even bigger smile than when he started. He was thrilled. We all cheered and clapped and he went back to his seat with his chest held high and a grin from ear to ear.
We get to turn in their violin tomorrow (Thank You Lord Jesus) and have a reprieve through the summer. I know it's not about how well they do or don't play. We want the kids to grow up with a sense of school, sports and music but I don't know if we can take another year of it. What I do know is that when he was finished playing last night and he sat on the stage, so proud of his mystery song, it was better than the most beautiful music I had ever heard in my life.
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