Music

On my dad's side of the family, there used to be yearly family reunions (until the last remaining sibling died). At these gatherings, a few of the girls (ladies, really) would break out the violins, gather 'round the piano and play some of the favorite songs that "Grandma and Grandpa" sang and played. All of the twelve original children in this family knew these tunes quite well, and now a few of their children and grandchildren had learned the music to play at reunions in remembrance of "the good 'ol days!" There would even be a little dance included if the mood was right. At one of these reunions, when the music was played, I inquired about how to get a copy of this music to play for my children and keep for posterity (and because they were really quite fun to listen to). There didn't seem to be any written or recorded copies available. No one had been able to get it on a CD, tape recorder, or sheet music. I was really saddened because it seemed to be such an important part of my family's history, and it would be lost to all the descendants if it didn't get passed on to the rest of the children and grandchildren.

Music has always been a part of my dads family's history, so it should be included with a book of remembrance, or listed in journals; but because there's no "hard copy" to add, it looks like it's a piece of the puzzle that's missing; at least, for now.

This experience caused me to look at my own family and gather our favorite music together. When my children were young (16 and younger), we learned a few songs and would sing them at different times before a congregation at church. The children weren't too excited about it, but it was one of those "Mom" things that is required in our family. They do it because Mom says to, and hopefully something positive was gained by these experiences.

Whenever a piece of music can be included in a book, journal, or history, it helps us to know that family member better, tying us to him/her even more.