To play or not to play… the piano, that is

I haven’t played my piano very much since Tim died. He loved to sit in his office and listen to me practice, even when all I did was go over two or three measures time and time again, trying to memorize certain sequences or rhythms. Sometimes he would even call up a friend and just hold the phone up in the air so they could listen to me play, something I asked him not to do unless I could do the piece really well. Never while learning something new!

After he died, playing the piano hurt me. It made me remember all those times when I sat and played old hymns or praise songs, lively choruses or slow worshipful ones, sometimes with Tim playing along on the french horn. I needed him there to listen, to suggest songs, to play or sing along. I did it once in a while, but not very often. I would think how beautiful the piano playing in heaven must be, how perfect, and how imperfect my own piano playing here on earth must sound. It made me too sad. It made me miss Tim even more than I already did.

The presbytery that Trinity is part of will meet here in Florence this week, and last week Keith emailed to ask if I was willing to play for communion at the Friday night service. I said yes. Today he asked if I would also play for the offering, and again I said yes. I’ve already prayed, thought, and played through many possible pieces, and I found that it’s easier now. Much less painful. My fingers are a bit stiff, but I found it doesn’t hurt as much emotionally and spiritually to play now.

I could almost sense Tim smiling, sitting at his desk or listening from heaven as I sat there playing a smattering of this, a smattering of that, jotting down notes of what keys certain songs are in. I’d like to think he picked up his french horn and played along with me.

I might just pull out some of my old music and play for my own enjoyment once in a while. The practice should be good for my fingers, and probably for my heart too. We’ll see.

Star Wars and more Star Wars

The last two weekends I began watching the Star Wars movies again, this time on television. I missed the very first one chronologically (Phantom Menace), but it will be re-run this coming weekend so I’ll try to catch it then.

I had forgotten some parts of the story, had never seen the “prequels” at all, and since I’m a huge science fiction fan I pulled my recliner closer to the TV in the living room, prepared coffee and snacks and enjoyed myself. I had actually never seen the very last, wind-up-everything movie, and that was a blast.

Thinking back to all the hoopla when Star Wars originally came out, I realize that some people will still think it’s disgraceful for a Christian to be a Star Wars fan. But my parents were believers, yet they loved science fiction (especially my mother) and collected monthly Amazing magazines, Isaac Asimov novels and just about every other one published back in my childhood days – 1940’s, 50’s. I still have most of their collection. Occasionally I will pull one out, flip through those musty pages, and find yet another piece of science fiction that has now become scientific fact.

Which brings me to the Star Wars (and Star Trek) saga. As I have studied what scripture has to say about heaven and the future of the earth this past year, I have become convinced that technology will be advanced, space travel will be common, and who knows – there may be a Jabba the Hut out there somewhere. Eternity is a long time. Space is vast. Galaxies are numerous, too numerous to count. Exploration is exciting and inevitable simply because human beings were created by God with a curiosity gene.

Then too, other dimensions and inhabitants of those dimensions are possible, even probable. At least for 1000 years after the return of Jesus to this planet, there will still be an enemy out to get us. (You’re not paranoid if they really ARE out to get you…) Human beings will rule and reign with Christ on this earth during those 1000 years, and with glorified bodies, abilities and thinking processes, and Jesus directing our activities, our future may well contain some Star Wars-type features.

It’s a thought.

It can take over if you’re not careful

Facebook, I mean.  Several friends and acquaintances had Facebook accounts, so upon suggestion and invitation, I created one too.  But here’s a caution – reading, researching, checking, writing, adding stuff, communicating – all that can go with Facebook may take over your life.  I even created a “Flair” for Florence, SC today!  It’s not available yet, probably later today, but that took a little while.  Hmmmmmmmmm…………….. there needs to be a big CAUTION sign flashing in your face whenever you open this thing.

I love trees…

Especially trees in winter, when they’re waiting for spring and their first baby leaves… This tree was on the top of one of the hills around Mosbach, Germany.

I took the photo on the left in January 2008. The one of me with the tree was taken by a friend I was sight-seeing with that day. I’ll add a few more tree photos I especially like later.