While not normally a "things" girl, a family heirloom gets me all kinds of twitter-pated. There's something about holding and using and loving an item that has been held, used and loved by my people for generations that makes me feel connected to them and breathes life into our home. I feel that way about Bops' rocking chair perfectly placed by the living room casement windows and Grandpa James' Korean Happy Man that rests on our mantle. I feel that way about Gaga's Stanford painting which hangs right outside my bedroom door, Grandpa's stain-glass heart that all the passer-by's notice and Noni's Asian Sculpture which is a focal point in our dining room. Having their items makes me feel like they are with me, looking over our family and a part of our lives here in Los Angeles. I like that these items have had a life and adventures of their own and now I am part of their story--it makes me feel like a part of something so simple and yet so grand.
All that to say, when my parents were re-doing their living room and decided to get rid of the McKee family piano, I jumped at the opportunity to have it in my home. This was the piano that Nana bought for Noni when she was a teenager with musical talent and aspirations. She has such a beautiful voice even now, and although she admits she never appreciated the piano like she should have I can almost hear her beautiful alto voice singing along to these very keys. It cost her parents nearly $1000, a small fortune for their family, and is such a beautiful example of sacrifices that parents make for the betterment of their babies. This was the piano that saw my Dad as a mischievous and inventive little boy. One day he decided to make his piano practice just a little bit easier by using permanent marker to write the notes on the tip of each keys. It wasn't long before he realized he was a dead kid walking if he didn't fix the situation so he decided to break off the edges of every key with pliers (because kids and logic don't always come hand in hand). He doesn't remember what came of that crazy idea--obviously he lived--but I love the story that goes behind this old piano's broken keys. And this was the piano of my youth. It was the piano I practiced on when my parents were weeding someone's yard in exchange for my weekly lessons. It was the piano that held my Mom's treasured Christmas houses each holiday season, the same houses that I have inherited and this year will sit atop the piano at my home. It was the piano that James played Beatles music on when our love was fresh and new. This piano has had a life already rich, and now my children and our Wigginton family are part of it's journey.
My parents were kind enough to rent a Uhaul and drive it down to LA a few weekends ago. Other than a pinched neck from my Dad lifting more than his share, the transfer went off without a hitch...and our family is THRILLED with our new addition. A piano tuner came just a few days later and after tuning our instrument and playing some show-tunes, told us that when this piano was manufactured there were no Ipads or computers or even TV's. Families would sit around the piano for hours to play and sing and laugh; it was the center of their home. He played a few more songs and said, "This piano is in great condition and plays beautifully. It can be the heart of your home too." And did I cry? You know I cried a little. I hope this piano is a meeting place in our home for years to come.
Thanks Mom and Dad, Noni and Nana, we love you all!
Our new piano with our amazing tuner, Jeff.
Mema got to crash Ev's publishing party where he wrote All About Lego's and dedicated it to his big brother.
Basically Mom was here for 36 hours and I made her do all the work-out things with me! We scootered, went to hip hop class and went on a 4-mile run. It was an eventful and fun and exhausting time!
I really loved the Lego Movie 2. Like, reeeeeallly recommend it!
While Mom and I ran, Coco and Pepa cuddled and watched Daniel Tiger. Sweet duo!
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