Comments

Hahahaha! Get a rubber practice mute! They're lighter and also won't harm your bridge as much...You're brave to dare doing that. I could do it as a kid - used to lock myself in an empty compartment to practice in the train to/from my college town - but now I'd rather get bored for 2 hours in the airport than play violin in public. Good for you! Hope your sister is doing o.k. What a great story, Terez, and so well-written. Congratulations on your courage. Nice inspiration, I think I'll follow in your footsteps my next trip... Oh, whew, no one is telling me "What?! That intimidated you? It's the easiest thing in the world!" Thanks for all your nice comments, and a reminder to self to buy a rubber mute. : )

PS - Tom, my sister's such a trooper, she was the one comforting ME when I called on the phone to say the dinner celebration plan was off. And fortunately, her tumor was benign, but she's still had recovery challenges that just go on and on. Her problems sure put my little ones in perspective!

Terez - at my age (56) I have a fair amount of perspective. When people ask me how things are going, I always say fine because compared to most people and especially some of my friends, one of whom I periodically call Job, my problems are quite trivial. I do not burden people less fortunate than me with my problems. wow..you've got guts...tx for the inspiration.. Sarah - thanks! And Tom, thanks for the wisdom - at 44, I'm starting to see more and more how fortunate I am. On the other hand, it hasn't stopped me from complaining now, has it? (As evidenced here!) A very sweet story. Pure love for the violin! Thanks for telling it. Thanks for the nice comment, David. Yes, in the end, it was a very pure feeling, and one of the reasons I'll never see my humble progress as an adult beginner as something futile. It gives me great pleasure and comfort to simply be holding my violin, practicing the simplest scales, feeling the tones swirl around me and permeate my body. If I gain little more from my practice in the years to come, I'll still know that I have acquired something very precious indeed.