Sandwiched
As I watched my son Jacob play piano during last week’s Noblesville High School Jazz Band concert, I couldn’t help but think about how music has always connected the generations of our family. In fact, I believe it creates connections for many people.
I grew up in a musical family. My mom played the piano and had a beautiful voice – she still does! My dad was a proud singer with the Valleyaires in South Bend, a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, for decades. I used to love watching and listening to his group when they performed at St. Mary’s College every winter.
My sister played clarinet and my brother played the trumpet. I grew up playing piano and later played clarinet and some percussion in our middle and high school bands. I also discovered my own voice later on in life and performed in a madrigal show and one of our church choirs for many years.
All four of us in the Shankland family love a variety of music, from classical to Christian to rock and even hip-hop! I remember my husband John playing some Chopin in the background during our first date.
I was thrilled when my son Jacob asked to take piano lessons when he was 10 years old. After failing miserably trying to teach him myself – it’s challenging to keep that “once a week lesson” discipline – we signed him up for “real” lessons when he was 11. Let me tell you, the boy was off and running! His piano skills surpassed my own years ago. He also joined one of the high school choirs just this year.
Music can truly bring people to life, figuratively and literally. I’m sure many of you have seen the videos where someone plays music for a non-verbal Alzheimer’s patient. Suddenly that person’s eyes are open and sparkling, their posture straightens, and they’re smiling, humming and singing along.
My mom thankfully isn’t battling Alzheimer’s, but at 86, she definitely faces struggles with memory. It’s physically hard for her to get around and enjoy life like she used to. I remember feeling sad years ago when Jacob started having recitals and performances because she was 2 ½ hours away and couldn’t attend. I knew she’d enjoy them.
Now that she lives in Noblesville, we’re able to take her to most of his jazz band and choir performances. Just like last week, I always feel good having Mom sit by my side enjoying the show. Her toes start tapping and she does this little thumb wiggle that always cracks me up! Seeing her happy makes me happy.
As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, Mom will be performing in her own show as part of a choir at her facility on Saturday, Dec. 15. We’re looking forward to seeing her.
And I can’t help but feel warmth in my heart knowing that this tradition of music creating connections between generations, as it has for decades, will come full circle.