My Violin

With my emotions varying like tremelo this morning, I reach for my life companion that has been with me since I was eight years old while not physically the same one, it is the one that serves me currently Preparation doesn’t take long Opening the case, I breathe in the familar scent of the instrument that I love, Wiping away the specks of rosin that cling and applying new rosin to the bow hair Where shall I go today? Into the pages of the hymnal where people for centuries have displayed their love and awe of God? Or into the complicated melodies and rhythms of composers who are still revered today because they left behind so many masterpieces perhaps into the catchy tune of a new song I heard recently? I have many choices, yet today the ache in my being requires that I dig deep into comfort to soothe my emotions and soul so I leap toward an old favorite that is ingrained so deep that actual music is not necessary because it is engraved deep in my heart and brain My whole body sighs when I play and that part of me that only music can touch leaps to life and sparks the parts of me that need to be fed regularly faith, optimism, root of all being, kindness so many things in my life have their root in music Moving on to the piece that I first conquered as a teen, it is so different playing it at my current age my fingers aren’t as nimble, my hearing has deteriorated with passing years and bad genes but my mind remembers which notes to play until the difficulty of the piece requires that I stop and work out the complicated pattern of notes that doesn’t feel right, so I try again Ah yes, that is it. Oops, wrong dynamics I try again. Better but not there yet I realize that I am tired and look at the clock more time has passed than I realize and the fatigue that comes with exertion finally registers as I put my old friend away until another time smiling, I know we will meet again soon, because I have a need that can only be met with the magic touch of my violin