RIGHT AT HOME

   RIGHT AT HOME

    

The music is hauntingly beautiful, the Right hand melody pulls us in with exquisite weighted tone with the  moving left hand accompaniment barely a whisper, a perfect balance. The melody, quite profoundly sad suddenly soars on the final line. But then the highest note is sustained, almost achingly so, until I must hold my breath until its resolve and listen to the tender pianissimo chords that end the piece. In the silence that follows, I finally lift my head to look at the pianist who has just played so sublimely.

It is my son Christian, he is only  just five years old. Our eyes meet and there is no need for words, he is completely aware of what he has just shared. And in that moment, as I look at my cherub, with his knowing blue eyes and wavy hair, I understand that his talent and brilliance were meant to be shared. I was simply entrusted by God to raise this little "Beethoven" boy whose gift was  so undeniable.

I do not claim that Christian is the next Beethoven, but because of our shared love of this composer and Christian's dramatic temperament, it seemed like "Raising Beethoven," is a fitting name for this blog. Besides, Christian is a teenager and still has his life ahead of him to develop his talents but everyone who has heard him play agrees that he has an extraordinary gift!

Christian has had some incredible dreams involving the piano but this is the first one that truly stood out.

     Shortly after he turned five, Christian had a very vivid dream that on the day he was born, he was wearing a tuxedo (with tails) and holding a conductor's baton and was whisked straight from the delivery room to the Jack Singer Concert Hall to conduct his first symphony concert. I still remember his tremendous excitement as my little boy shared his detailed dream with me while I listened with very wide eyes, recognizing it was rather remarkable.

    Immediately, after the dream, Christian became obsessed with owning a black tuxedo with tails...the longer tails the better. Most boys are excited to wear their favourite hockey player's jersey but my boy longed for his very own tuxedo.


 A month later, we were given reason to buy him one when Christian was chosen to make Jubilee Auditorium debut at the precious age of five in the Kiwanis Festival "Stars of the Festival." We found a tiny tuxedo that fit (no tails sadly, Christian was terribly sad about that part). He was only about 34 pounds, slim build and he looked utterly adorable. In fact, to me, Christian resembled an angel with his startling blue eyes and longish dark blonde curls. 

     I still pocket the memory as though it was yesterday, I was holding his hand as we walked into the concert hall together the day of his first sound check.  I caught my breath at the size of the theatre but tried to hid my nerves smiling down at him to ask "How do you feel, honey?"

Christian's eyes were bright and happy as he surveyed the theatre, he answered me honestly saying, "Mommy, I just feel right at home!" He then left to go and explore, still a most curious five-year old beneath all that talent.

Four months later and just turned six, Christian was asked to play at the opening of the new Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary. Irene Besse, an iconic business woman/musician donated a unique piano that had angel wings to the hospital so it was huge honour for Christian to be asked to play it for the first time at this gala affair.



Later that year, Irene Besse asked Christian to play a donated Roland digital piano at the new Ronald McDonald House built near the hospital. Christian and his sister, Malia would share their musical gifts many times through the years for the patients, their families and staff. The experience would be incredibly meaningful for all.

"RIGHT AT HOME," they were words that would prove prophetic, this stage would be the first of many for Christian, the journey had begun.