Years ago Far Guys paternal grandparents played music together. Grandpa played the Violin ( he also played the trombone) and Grandma played the piano. I never heard Grandpa play, but I did hear Grandma play the piano. The violin was silenced when Grandpa died in 1968 a year before Far Guy and I were married.
The violin stayed silent. No one played it, Grandma longed for someone that would learn to play it, someone that would take lessons, someone that she could hand it down to. The violin stayed silent for thirteen years. We took the treasured violin and had it repaired and restrung, the old fellow that repaired it said that he thoroughly enjoyed restoring it because it was a pleasure for him to play such a fine sounding instrument.
Trica 1982
Our oldest daughter Trica began Violin lessons. The rest of us should have invested in ear plugs..luckily our dog Snuffer was old and deaf. Finally after many lessons she could actually play some songs. On weekends she would play for her Great Grandma. Great Grandma sat quietly and listened, sometimes she would dab at her eyes with her hankie. She would always clap her hands at the end of the song. Trica began by playing short little songs like Mary Had a Little Lamb..eventually playing some hymns that Great Grandma really enjoyed. The Saturday afternoon concerts went on for some time.. then in 1983 there was no one to play for anymore. Trica did play a few times for her Grandfather..but after Great Grandma died, it was like the violin music that flowed so freely was all sent along to heaven with her. The violin rests, wrapped safely in the old brown velvet material, inside the case. In 1997 when Trica and Richards house was destroyed by fire and smoke, the violin was saved. It is still resting..some day perhaps it will be unwrapped and restrung, and the horse hair bow strings will again be covered in rosin ..and the music will flow freely again:)
What a lovely story, Connie. I am moved to tears, and do hope that the violin will one day find its current owner...
ReplyDeleteEverything changes...we also have a violin which is silent...so sad...
ReplyDeleteA beautifully written memory Connie. How sweet that Tricia was able to play hymns for her great grandma before she was called home to Heaven.
ReplyDeletep.s. I keep forgetting to comment on your beautiful header photos. So very pretty!
ReplyDeleteThat was a beautiful story about the old violin. Maybe some of the grandkiddos will take an interest someday and strike up the band again!
ReplyDeleteI'm laughin' about the earplug comment sister. When Chris first started playing the saxophone, I'd set him on a bench in the backyard to serenade the cows 'cause he sounded just like one givin' birth!!!
You have the best day sweetie!!!
Great story. Jess had always wanted to play violin. Maybe one day one of Trish's girls or grandkids will play again.
ReplyDeleteYou made me cry...and you brought back memories of my youth sitting on my grandparents porch every evening as soon as it grew warm enough until it was too cold. There by Grandfather played the gee'tar and Uncle Jay played the fiddle. I thought it was normal, I realize now it was very special.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
I have a story about a violin in my family but it is to painful to tell. Sad about no one playing any more your violin.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story. Made the Duchess tear up :(
ReplyDeleteI hope someday the music is heard again.
Kisses,
Emma Rose
Sad and bittersweet, but a wonderful story. There are a lot of memories wrapped up in that brown velvet. Maybe one day Trica will want to unwrap them. I played violin too- not by choice though. I wanted to play clarinet, but my mother decided I had to play violin. It is such a beautiful sounding instrument, but my heart was never into it.
ReplyDeleteGreat memories
ReplyDeletesomehow
it seems a violin should always be handed down
and loved by a family member
Ah - that is a lovely story... Sad too, but I have hope that violin will be played again one day.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how many people have a sad violin story to tell!
That's a wonderful story! I love strings. Violin is so beautiful. It's a heartwarming thing to have shared music through the ages. Thanks for your entry! Smiles to you!
ReplyDeleteYou sure have some great memories and that violin is probably one of those very valueable treasures that will be worth hanging onto for future generations to come! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletewe have Papa George's violin (My husbands great grandfather) in a case displayed in the living room
ReplyDeleteI posted about it (http://thedustwillwait.blogspot.com/2009/11/priceless.html) on a fun monday in November)
We also have my FIL's trumpet -- which our grandson played at school. He's 14 now and says his band teacher stinks. Oh Well.
I loved hearing about grandma's tears. I often wonder if I will tear up when my great grandchildren visit me. Will I live that long? sigh.
My late wife's hippie days guitar stays silent in the upstairs closet. I have never opened it and maybe never will. I need to tell the boys about it so they know the history of the guitar. She insisted on having a used case for her guitar so it would look like she was an experienced player. I really liked the story of the violin. It was sweet of your daughter to do that for grandma.
ReplyDeleteOh fiddle sticks, now I'm dabbing at my eyes with a hankie! My sleeve actually, I'm not quite such a lady. What a wonderful thing for your daughter to have done for her great grandmother.
ReplyDelete