Why didn't I Listen to my Mom?

Yep, it's official.  I have officially become old enough to ADMIT that I should've (and probably should) listen to my mother.

Who wouldn't listen to a woman who wear a hot dog on her head?

Last night I sat down at the piano and feebly made my way through some hymns.  And as I struggled to make my fingers work while simultaneously reading both lines for left and right hand it occurred to me (again.), Mom was right.  I should've never quit piano lessons.  (I have, of course, had this thought before, but I'm now admitting it publicly)

By the time I was a high school junior I had been taking lessons for six years.  Four of these years were spent with the wonderful Mrs. Straight.  Once a week I would skip my lunch hour and walk across the street from the school and take a lesson.  Many, many times during that weekly lesson Mrs. Straight would ask, "Holly, how much did you practice this week?" [ummm, I'm pretty sure she knew the answer before she asked].  We really had a quite candid relationship, looking back that's probably why I liked her so much.  After a few years together, I'd walk in the front door [Mrs. Straight never wanted her students to knock.  "Just walk in when you're here"] and put it out there.  "Well, I haven't practiced this week, so it's not going to be good."

You see, I was really torn at that time between two things I really, really loved.  Softball and music.  [my mother would add socializing]  I played on several teams in the summer, had quite the demanding social life and besides one other friend, was the only one still taking piano lessons in high school.  So, finding time to practice the piano cramped my style at times.  But I did love it.  Still love it actually.  But Mrs. Straight still encouraged me, saw potential in me and held me accountable to practicing.  

One day at the end of my lesson dear Mrs. Straight, told me it was time to move on.  She wanted me to do two things.  First, she wanted me to have a musical affair on her and begin seeing someone else!  GASP!  She recommended I begin seeing another piano teacher at Bowling Green State University.  It seemed, she had taken me as far as I could go and it was time for me to move on to the next level.  And second, she wanted me to begin taking organ lessons.  Apparently, there was a shortage of church ready organists.  Mrs. Straight suggested it would be a great opportunity for me to make a little extra money and learn a new instrument.  

I don't really remember how I told my parents about this conversation.  But I do remember weighing the decision and the implications it would have on my social life. And I remember thinking about the fact that I had reached a crossroads---to quit piano altogether or move to the next level.  My parents, of course, encouraged me to move to the nexrt level.  I wasn't so sure.  My mom [pay attention dear readers], my mom said, "if you quit now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."  

My mom was right.  

She was so right.

I never went to BG for lessons.  I finished the year with Mrs. Straight and carried on to the blissful social life of a seventeen year old. 

So last night, I got to thinking about my mom being right about the piano.  And what other things she has been [or is] right about.  Here's a few I can name....

- Quitting piano lessons [still regret it.  perhaps I should put it on The List]

- "When you know, you know." 

- All things medical.  Seriously, the woman is always three steps ahead of most doctors.

- "Pray about it." - she reminds us often to do this

-Live Life for Today.  My adventurous spirit comes from her

-A cooking go to.  I still call and ask random questions about cooking.  "Can I....?"  "should I...?", "How do I...?"  And without missing a bit she'll have the answer.

-Fashionista.  At 39 I am happy to let the woman still dress me.  Yep.  I admit it.  Ain't nothing better than giving Claudia a budget and letting her put a new seasonal wardrobe together for me. 

Thanks, Mama!