My husband just made arrangements for the Salvation Army to pick up the piano because we’re moving in two weeks and won’t have room for it in our new place.
It’s not in the best of shape. It doesn’t tune as high as it should because I let it get too hot and too cold for a year before moving it to Austin.
But it still tunes and would be fine for playing, or for singing to if you’re not particular about the vocal range. Still, I haven’t played it in months, have played only infrequently for years. The cats sleep under it.
William used to sleep on it.
So I shouldn’t care.
But any minute now, I’m going to start crying, and I’m going to cry till the Sally truck comes on Tuesday, and I’m going to cry while they load it onto the truck, and while they drive off, and every time I look at the space where it used to live, because all my life I’ve had a piano, and now I won’t.
And then I’ll dry up and feel a lot better because the Salvation Army was good to soldiers during World War II, and they’ll find it a home where somebody will play it and not let it just sit there with cats leaning against the pedals.
And because I’ll have stopped trying to drag one more part of my past into the present.
***
Image of piano by Karen Arnold from Pixabay
M. K. Waller 
I don’t blame you! I would hate to not have a piano, even if I seldom play it any more.
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I’ve always considered the piano essential, but I suspect it’s not, when space is at a premium. And space is definitely at a premium.
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You can get a small keyboard. Or even a full sized one. They store vertically and don’t take up any space.
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Do they sound like a piano? I love making a big noise. The neighbors might not like it, but I do.
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Some do, but they’re the more expensive ones. Some even have the touch of a piano–feels like you’re pressing the keys of the real thing. They CAN make a lot of noise–they’re electronic.
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David had a keyboard, but no more. It didn’t have the piano touch. The one I want will be expensive, of course.
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Well
Just to
Encourage you more….
Releasing things can be so good for us in many ways and there is a freedom that really comes from releasing (as you know already and even mention you are fine with it and all)
But also take heart in knowing it can find a good home with someone that will value that baby
and anytime we donate to thrift stores – the store generates revenue and people get blessed with goodies in their price range – and maybe some family needs this big time!
So when the cats purr about missing it – let that smile come from a sense of release and investing
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You’re right–the change will be liberating. Once the piano goes, I might be able to part with the books. I’ve parted with zillions over the years, but it’s never easy, because I’m sure I’ll want to read them all again, even the ones I’ve never read. The cats won’t miss the piano; I played a chord the other day and the animal sleeping beneath didn’t even open his eyes. Thanks for your comment.
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that is funny about playing the note and no movement – mewow and love those purrrrfectly content cats!
and side note –
I just decided to keep my upright antique piano – might drop some money to get it tuned – but did decide to keep ours after almost sending it away this summer (they do take up space) but had this friend come over – an older colleague and he LOVED it – and that made me appreciate it more (and remember when I fell in love with it in 2004) so she stays until I decide what next….
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William was a rescue cat, and by rights he should be nervous. But he’s a cream tabby, and I’ve never known an orange-ish cat that had a nerve in his body. They take life as it comes. Ernest, the gray one, would have run.
Keep your upright! Have it tuned and enjoy it. My mom got rid of my grandmother’s upright, thought it would cost too much to have it fixed up, and bought the spinet, and she was sorry ever after.
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Thanks for the encouragement with the piano – if I had someone who valued it greatly – I would give it to them – and my heart would smile – in the meantime – it is not taking up that much room in dining room –
And enjoyed hearing tidbits about the cat’s personality –
How fun!
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Do not give way on dragging past into present.It is the only hope for our future, for the legacy of our ancestors.
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I agree–the legacy of ancestors is important. But it’s no longer possible for me to hold on to things as if they were people, as I’ve done in the past. My goal now is to keep their stories going–hence many of these blog posts. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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It is very hard to give objects away that have been a part of your life. It is the association and the memory that makes you feel as if you are losing part of yourself. There isn’t any easy way but to let it go and hope that someone else will appreciate it in the same way and that it will bring joy to them. Maybe a little girl who will be learning to play the piano?
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Guess what–it went to a little girl who’s going to learn to play the piano. More on that later.
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Good Luck in your new abode! ❤
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Thank you. I think I’ll like it if I ever get there. I was surprised, but the piano was the easy part. Now I have to find homes for all this stuff (a technical term). And to convince myself to part with all the books I pretend I’m going to read again.
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I am getting rid of most of my books. I know I will not read them again and I have so many.
My upright piano, I am keeping until I die. As far back as I can remember, I have had that piano. I play seldom but knowing it is there is enough for me. Both children played the same piano. Even though my son is no longer with us, I can still see him as a child sitting at that piano.
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