Grandma Bear

The other day I took my grandson, Royce, for a walk near my home in Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp. We stopped in the restaurant/bar at Hotel Cassadaga in which in both places they know us. We stopped at one of the pianos and he respectfully and mindfully tapped each of the black keys all the way down and back.

Music to my ears!

Backstory: We found that piano long ago. He barely stood equally to the keys the first time we stopped by. I so love that I am able to give my grandson real-life experiences with the help of community.

To my surprise, one of the servers came to me and said my grandson is not allowed to play the piano. She was upset to have to say so. I said to her that he did no harm, and she said the piano had just been tuned. We took it in stride and continued on.

Next, we made it to the waterfall’s fountain with large rocks near Spirit Pond. He wanted to get closer to the water, so we did. Off to the side were three people in their 20s playing brass bowls. Royce looked on, they noticed and invited us over.

I was so pleased when they let him play the bowls, all four of them. Each time he struck one, he rejoiced in the sound and the vibration. He totally got into it. He struck the bowl and stood surreally in the moment. Bless my heart!

When we finally walked away, I said, ‘There’s much more to music than just a piano.’

Backstory: Royce has always loved music. He plays with his musical toys at home – tambourine, flute, maracas, xylophone, etc. Even before that, once he learned to stand, he danced to the beat of music. Just the other day, he told me to turn up the music while cruising I-4. His favorite: Barbara Ann by the Beach Boys. LOL Have you listened to those lyrics? LOL

We ended our walk at my apartment/office. He went to my Spirit trumpets and said, ‘I wanna play that.’ I chuckled and said those aren’t musical trumpets, baby. They are Spirit trumpets and used in seances. Thank goodness that was the end of that conversation.

Later, I went to look up information about piano tuning. Once a reporter, always a reporter. I couldn’t help myself. I have seen musicians pound those keys over and over at the Hotel. I learned that it’s more likely that a piano needs tuning because of the temperature kept in the room rather than playing it. I thought about talking with the owner and now am feeling there’s really no point.

That day I did notice a regular who has seen us many times at the piano. When the server informed me, he was no longer there. I really want to give him the name Richard – Dick for short. Oh, I guess I just did. LOL

Seriously though, a huge lesson to me. You can only meet people where they are at.

After talking it over with my daughter, I plan on getting my grandson a brass bowl for his 3rd birthday, maybe two. How ‘bout a keyboard? Perhaps, someday.

Blessings of Peace and Love