Page 7 - December 2025 newsletter

I have dabbled in music for years, just started enjoying the sound.
piano, bass, guitar, ukulele and “The Piano Lesson”
drums. Never mastering any except From the life overview of Dennis K., 81, Now, every morning, I play the same
the drums. What I had found is St. Paul, Minnesota. Shared with per- wobbly handful of songs. The neighbors
that music and instruments is a mission.
wonderful way to relieve stress and probably hate me, but I like the ritual—
find inner peace. the way the house feels a little more
When I retired, I didn’t know what to awake afterward. My hands don’t al-
So...When an opportunity came up do with myself. My wife suggested I ways do what I tell them to, but some-
to get a piano donated to the Folks take piano lessons. I laughed—she times—just for a few notes—they re-
at Amber Lights, I jumped on it be-
cause I know that as seniors, it is might as well have told me to learn bal- member.
nice to have a relaxing distraction. let. But she signed me up anyway.
SO, I encourage you to go bang Wednesday afternoons, one hour a I’ve learned you don’t have to be good
around on the piano in the week, with a teacher young enough to at something for it to be worth doing.
Clubhouse be my granddaughter. The joy of trying sticks around longer
than perfection ever does.
There are some amazing tutorial
videos for beginners on At first, my fingers felt like ten uncoop-
youtube.com. erative sausages. I couldn’t find middle
C if it had been labeled with a neon
Let’s go, wake up your inner sign. But she was patient. She’d nod
talents, you won’t be sorry
and say, “That’s progress,” even when
John G, mejohn@live.com if you it clearly wasn’t. Somewhere along the
have questions. way, I stopped trying to improve and

Christmas Café: Open Christmas Morning for Coffee, Hot Chocolate,

Hot Spiced Cider, Donuts and Pastries 9:00 to 10:30 AM

Join your neighbors, Celebrate this Joyous Holiday Reservations Required