This morning, my son sat down at the piano wearing his pajamas, barefoot and sporting a baseball cap. He poured his heart into the music, something he now does every day because he truly enjoys it.
A year ago, however, he was begging to quit. Getting him to practice was a constant struggle. Our lives were over-scheduled and often felt chaotic as we tried to manage the demands of school, work, and activities for our family of six. When we were home, all he wanted was to unwind. The piano became just another task on our long list of daily obligations. We were always rushing, often running on empty.
But that frantic pace has slowed down over the past year. Now, my son climbs onto the piano bench in his PJs and plays each morning before breakfast. He fills his breaks between remote learning sessions with music, and whenever he walks past the piano, he stops to play. He is constantly engaged with the instrument, and without the weight of our former hectic schedule, he plays purely for joy.
As I watch and listen to him today, I notice his significant progress. His fingers glide swiftly across the keys, and he skillfully manages the pedals. He leans in, fully immersed in the music he loves.
And a question lingers: Where do we go from here?
I yearn for a return to the life we had before the pandemic, yet I also resist going back to that frenetic existence. I pray for an end to the virus and for healing and togetherness in our communities.
But as I listen to the melodies coming from the piano, I can’t help but reflect on the race we used to participate in. With the rollout of vaccines and the world gradually moving toward a “new normal,” this moment feels ripe for intentionality. Perhaps we have a say in how we re-enter our lives.
What lessons have we learned? What will we hold on to? What will we try to escape? How can we embrace a slower pace once we’re back to our usual routines? Can we be more mindful about what we prioritize? What exactly were we racing toward before?
The sounds coming from the piano this morning tell a story and raise questions about the next chapter of our lives. Where do we go from here? And what were we really sprinting toward in the first place?
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