And it was...

Today was a good day. There is one story that I would particularly like to share. Ok, maybe it is two stories wrapped into one. :)

I have been studying music for about...well...since 2000. Of course, music has been a big part of my life since I was small, but soon after I started college I knew that music was what I wanted to learn the most about. (Later I discovered that Bible is even more important). Anyway, one of my music theory teachers said that he always carried blank staff paper (that's the type of paper that musical notes are written upon) with him just in case a tune popped into his head and he needed to jot it down in a hurry. I thought this was a bit far fetched, but soon learned that all the great composers did this as well.

It wasn't too long after that when I discovered how true his words had been and how much I wished I had taken his advice. Unfortunately, I had not and lost forever an entirely new tune that came into my head. For a while I started carrying sheets of staff paper with me, but this became awkward and anytime I did write something, it would get lost in my car or hopelessly shuffled or written over the top of by someone else. So, I switched to regular old "college ruled" and this got me by in a pinch.

Well, a couple years ago I was sharing this with my little brother, Mark. I had mentioned how I wished there was such a thing as a muscal journal. A smallish book with staff paper that could be carried around easily and kept safe, but was still useful. He suggested getting a regular journal and writing in extra lines.

Fast forward to a little over a year ago. I was in yet another music theory class, and one of our assignments was to compose an original score for violin, viola, cello and oboe. I made fast work of it and had a melody and parts in no time flat (no pun intended), but I discovered that the more I worked on that song, the more other melodies would come into my mind. The only problem is I didn't have anywhere to write them down in an organized fashion. I still am finding reciepts with melodic phrases written on them, hoping to be completed one day! :)

Anyway. I finished the song and at the end of the semester there was a recital where my piece, and my classmates' as well, were played by musicians brought in for that occasion. I was terribly nervous and invited a couple very good friends of mine to come and hear. I also decided to video tape the concert because I knew that none of my family would be able to come to see and listen.

When the break for Christmas last year came, I showed my mom and Mark the tape. They were so proud. Mark edited the tape and put it on DVD (he is amazing, it was regular old micro tape from one of those really old home video cameras), which I then sent to my dad, explaining what it was and wishing him a Merry Christmas.

Now, yesterday. Christmas eve one year later. Mark asked me to play on the fiddle a song that I wrote, any song, as long as it was mine. My dad heard this and said, "You compose music laura?"
To which I replied, "Yes dad, I do, did you ever watch the DVD I sent you for Christmas last year?"
"No, no I haven't. Maybe I better see if I can find that, hmm."

(OK, yeah, I was pretty crushed, but hey, that's my dad. :) ) So I nodded and proceeded to explain to Mark how I haven't ever played any of my songs with a fiddle; I always use a piano or let someone else do the playing.

I didn't sleep last night. A tummy ache and restless mind kept me up till there was light in the sky again.

This morning was Christmas morning. I had a tune in my head when I rolled out of bed, but didn't get paper in time to write it down. Dang it! ;) My brother and his fiancee were coming over in a little bit and we all had decided to do present exchange in jammies, so I washed my face and refrained from adding make-up (which I maintained all day, thank you very much)(hehehe)(not even mascara!)(or chapstick)...ok, wait...where was I? Oh yeah. I headed up stairs and dad was already up and reading a book or something. I called out MERRY CHRISTMAS, DADDY!, hugged him and then made a bee line for the coffee pot.

Soon the house was full of life as Arlene and Pongo (the big dog) got up and Mark and Shawna arrived. Then packages were being passed around. We usually make sure everyone has a package and then go one-by-one and open...and this goes on over and over until all is done. Anyway, at some point one came to me from Mark. I tore the over-taped paper (which I made a silly comment on and he stuck out his tongue at me); the first thing I saw was the word "music" written in silver on a black background. My eyes started tearing instantly. I flipped through the empty staff pages and my excitement grew. It was the very musical journal I hoped existed and would put good use to. I don't know if anyone has ever put so much thought into a gift. And I was feeling all this before I even read the beautiful letter he wrote to me on the inside cover.

(See...it's small...I put clippers next to it to show off the size. :) )

Well, soon I was cleaned up from tear-stained cheeks and we were off again, except at this time Arlene was in the kitchen cooking breakfast/lunch and the rest of us were getting dressed. Arlene asked dad to put on a Christmas movie, but he couldn't get the TV figured out, so he handed the remote off to me (how I am supposed to be better at this than him, I'll never know. I don't even own a TV). Anyway, I pushed the play button and to my surprize my song started playing. Dad had found the DVD and put it in while I wasn't looking and then sat there like a proud papa aproving of every note and meter change and asking if writing music is something I enjoy. (He's never asked me questions like that before). When it was finished he started it all over again and said, "I'm sorry I missed that before." (That's the second time he's ever told me he was sorry).

You guessed it, I was in tears again. So, my story was a bit longer than expected, but today was so great, I just wanted to share about that. There were many nice things that happened through the day, but those are my favorites. Merry Christmas...er, um....Happy New Year to you.