You Just Never Know

Looking over Zachary as a newborn, David’s mom mentioned how long and slender his tiny fingers were. “Piano fingers.” We already knew he responded to music in in utero. And over the next few years his love for music grew. His favorite group was The Gaither Vocal Band and his all-time favorite song was “God is Good.” He’d belt out that song out ALL the time. He also was fond of the theme song to Clifford the Big Red Dog; would run to his room, grab his guitar and jump on the stage (the hearth) and sing along. He loved to sing in church and sang the Brooklyn Tab’s version of “Happy Birthday, Jesus” in front of several hundred students at Whitefield each year at Christmas from about age three. He’d stop and sing at anytime for anyone.


I took him each week to Kindermusic and it just seemed natural that we would pursue music lessons (for him). Samuel was about 9 months old when we took Zachary to the University of Louisville to determine whether to pursue the Suzuki method of violin lessons. Samuel was restless and fussy in the stroller UNTIL the music began to play; He became instantly alert and attentive to the music. We didn’t think much about it at the time.

At that time I was pregnant with Seth and decided to hold off on any lessons at the time. After Seth was born, I was so busy caring for the boys I just didn’t think I could add one more thing to my already full days. Then we moved to GA.

When life “settled” down and we decided to homeschool, at last I thought we could pursue those coveted lessons. Zachary had NO interest in violin but obediently, though hesitantly, consented to piano lessons. And while I was there anyway, we decided to enroll Samuel as well.

Zachary hated every. Single. Lesson. He practiced - sometimes through tears- for TWO years and though he did well, his heart was not in it and it was obvious.

However, Samuel LOVED it. And in the manner of which he did (and does) everything, he also played the piano with passion.

He just played for his third recital and this time, he accompanied Seth on a duet. We are proud of his ability. We never saw it coming really. He has wide hands and short fingers. I often find him in full baseball gear—at the piano. His teacher impresses dynamics a lot because he does seem to have an affinity for FAST and LOUD (if you know him, you will totally understand this!). But he has an ability to sight read music that his teacher tells me is really impressive.

And in case you are wondering, Zachary changed to guitar, loves it and is doing very well.