Tuesday, May 20

Brown Paper Packages

I have some favorite things in life. A few of them are the raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens variety, but many are a bit more esoteric than that, and deeply personal to me.

One of them I shall tell you about here.

Because that's what I do here. Tell you about stuff, I mean.

My husband is a musician. A music maker of the talented play by ear kind of guy. I first discovered this about him when we had been dating for just a few weeks. On a dare, and to show what a compassionate kind of guy he is, and I suppose to ensure that the wrapping himself around my heart was complete, he took me "home" one weekend. I was homesick, he was my hero and we made the 5 hour drive from Southern to Northern Utah beginning at midnight one Friday night so I could spend the weekend with my family. Sometime mid-day on the Saturday (after sleeping in a bit) I was wandering down the hallway and heard a lovely melody being played on the piano. I remember thinking to myself that perhaps my sister had decided to really take her lessons seriously and had somehow mastered the instrument in the few months I had been away. I turned the corner into the living room and spotted my boyfriend sitting at the piano, his long fingers tickling the ivory.

I. Was. Smitten.

Musicians really do me under.

Of late, his instrument of choice is the guitar. As he likes to say, he just plays at it.
I tend to think of him as fabulously gifted.

My musician really does me under.

When the big kids were little kids he often sang them off to sleep with a private concert in the hallway near their bedrooms. This was the first tutelage in music appreciation for Ian and Emma and both could sing every word to not only "Puff the Magic Dragon" but also "Bye Bye, Miss American Pie" before they were in kindergarten.

It's these little things that make me happy.

So, music is a constant background in our home. Often that is our own homegrown concert courtesy of the musician I married. He plays, he sings, he entertains with spontaneous improvisational blues performances. I love to listen to him play whether it is in earnest or in free-play, and I find myself still smitten over him. Just nearly everything about him. For years now the show is often complemented with dance performances and do-wop backup by the children. I love that too.

That definitely ties it.

12 comments:

  1. Confession- I have been lurking around your blog for months- fascinated. Imagine my shock that you are from Utah? That is where i am

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  2. So, sounds like you guys are about ready to go on tour soon. Can I get backstage passes when you do?

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  3. Lucky lady, you. I am often envious of my musical friends who are married to equally musical mates. Mine can't carry a tune in a bucket and is woefully inept at playing an instrument of any kind. *sigh*

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  4. Brains, looks and he plays beautiful music...Now do you see why I want to be you when I grow up?

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  5. He sounds a lot like my Dad who used to play electric guitar in a high school band (by ear, couldn't really read music) and always used to sing us "lullabies" at night. I too knew the words of Puff an American Pie at 3, as well as a number that still make me think of my Dad when I hear them 30+ years later. Rhythm of the Rain, Georgie Girl, Feelin' Groovy, Dream, Dream, Dream, The Wonder Girl and more that I am sure I am forgetting momentarily. Those songs will always be mine and my Dad's. I guarantee those will also be some of your kids fondest memories of their Dad as well.

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  6. That is just wonderful. You are so lucky.

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  7. That happened with my ex husband. We had been dating only a few weeks when he sat down at a piano and played fur elise. I stood there in shock. I fell in love instantly. NOTHING like seeing a man play a musical instrument. Especially a manly man. I said, "I had no idea you play the piano! Why didn't you tell me?" He said, "What... like I'm going to introduce myself by saying, hi my name is Jeff, I play the piano?" Made me laugh. And if I'm not in love with you from watching you play piano, making me laugh will do it.

    Anyway, that was then, this is now. He's a stupid motherfucker.

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  8. Jenn, I think you and I are cut from the same cloth, kindred spirits, sisters in a past life. Lovely, lovely post.

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  9. I have always envied individuals with that special musical talent. It is one thing that I wish that I could have and/or learn if I had to do my life all over again. What a truly special gift your husband has and his gift likely enhances to a higher level as he is playing from his heart to those who own his heart. Have your children inherited his musical talent as well?

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