This morning, my son sat down at the piano, dressed in his pajamas, bare feet, and a baseball cap, and poured his heart into the music. He does this every day now because he absolutely LOVES it.
A year ago, he was begging to quit. It was always a struggle to get him to practice. Our family’s schedule was packed, often chaotic, as we rushed to keep up with the demands of school, work, and activities for our family of six. At home, he just wanted to unwind. The piano became another task on our endless to-do list during our hectic days.
But the frantic pace has slowed down over the past year. Now, my little guy hops onto the piano bench in his PJs and plays each morning before breakfast. He fills the breaks between remote classes and assignments with music. If he walks by the piano, he stops to play. He is constantly making music these days, and without the pressure of a packed schedule, he plays purely for joy.
I’ve been observing him closely, and I can hear the improvement in his skills. His fingers dance across the keys, his feet expertly work the pedal, and he leans in, fully immersed in the music.
This brings me to an important question: Where do we go from here?
I find myself torn between wanting to return to the pre-COVID routine and cherishing the changes that have taken place. Of course, I hope for the pandemic to end, for the suffering to cease, and for everyone to experience the healing that comes from togetherness. Yet, as I listen to the beautiful melodies filling the room, I reflect on our previous racing lifestyle.
As vaccinations roll out and the world gradually moves toward normalcy, I feel a sense of purpose emerging. Perhaps we have some control over how we re-engage with our lives. What lessons have we learned? What do we want to hold on to? What will we choose to leave behind? How can we slow down when life speeds up again? Will we be more mindful of our choices? What were we truly racing towards before?
The piano keys are telling a profound story this morning, igniting questions about our next chapter. Where do we go from here? And what were we sprinting towards in the first place?
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Summary
This article reflects on the changes brought by the pandemic, particularly how it has allowed for a slower pace of life and a deeper appreciation for activities like playing the piano. It raises questions about how to navigate life moving forward, balancing the desire to return to pre-COVID routines with the lessons learned during this time.