Don't quit, keep playing!

A month or so ago, I reconnected with an old friend from the past. I may have mentioned it before. She wrote me again today and this time told me a little more about things she remembered, when we lived right across the road from each other. As she wrote she mentioned things like... "you seemed like a very happy family, you were a religious family, I thought you had it all and were talented and pretty ", then she read my blog and found out about my abuse, she was shocked. Today's letter told me about the experiences her family had with my abusive grandfather. Thankfully he never physically touch any one of them, but they did  have situations with him that made their Dad suspicious and they were warned to stay away from him.
Reading her words about some of the disturbing things my grandfather did, brought back a FLASH FROM THE PAST. The next couple of hours, I felt a bit sick inside. I well remember all the sick things he did. That was my life, that was what I had to deal with on a daily basis. My life then, was frightening to say the least. But I had to remind myself that even though my life was tough (because of the things that happened and that I experienced)...I am a better person today, stronger, happier and much wiser. I knew from a very young age that this is NOT what life is suppose to be in a family. It made more determined to have a different life for me and my future family. How grateful I am for a Heavenly Father who was always there for me, someone to talk to, when I was too afraid to talk to anyone else. Grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ, for the ability to forgive and to truly be there to help me survive it all.
Although what my neighbor thought of me then was not true, I am happy to report...that all those things are true now and for that I am very grateful!  Yes, life is hard but we should never give up. I loved this story because it reminded me of my life.  Good night dear friends!

A Little Boy At A Big Piano

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.
Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE." When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.
Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on
the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw
her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."
Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized.
That's the way it is in life. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But when we trust in the hands of a Greater Power, our life's work truly can be beautiful.
Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."   ~Author Unknown

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."  ~Author Unknown

 

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are.  I don't believe in circumstances.  The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them."  ~G.B. Shaw, Mrs. Warren's Profession, 1893