Thank You, Mrs. Beresford

When I was a little girl, I spent hours at the piano, driving my family crazy with my pounding and pretending. I wanted to be a proficient piano player, but I didn't understand why I couldn't just sit down and play a piece of music like my mother could. I wanted to have the ability to beautifully perform, but I didn't want to do any of the work.

I took a few piano lessons here and there, but the only lesson I learned was how to give the teacher my parent's check without practicing very much in between lessons.

Then I went to college. I had a deep interest in music, but my "instrument" at the time was voice. In order to graduate in my major I had to pass a piano proficiency exam. My years of not seriously practicing wasn't going to cut it.

My music theory teacher was a wonderful woman who played the piano beautifully. Since I needed some help, she offered to tutor me. I believe the lessons ran $7 a week.

In her closet-sized office, she showed me how my hands should look like butterflies flitting across the keys. She pushed and encouraged me until I could finally play Debussy's Clare De Lune. She unveiled the secrets of embellishing hymns. Then one day, I found I was able to sit at the keyboard and sight-read a piece without much trouble, just like my mom.

Last Fall I cleaned out a closet and found a box of old papers from college. Surrounded by text books, term papers and exams, I sat and cried as I realized all I had gained from knowing this woman, my professor and piano teacher. As a young college student, I had no understanding of the indelible mark she was leaving on my life, both spiritually and musically.

So, I wrote her a letter and told her so. And, she wrote me the sweetest note back, in the same handwriting I remembered from my old music theory books.

Today I received word that Mrs. Beresford passed away last Wednesday. So here I sit. And cry. I am extremely thankful for what God did in my life through her. And, I am exceedingly glad I got a chance to tell her so.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for all the wonderful gifts you give us - for the beauty of music and the love of mentors who share their experience with us. Thank You for the gift of people and how You enrich our lives through others. Please use us in the lives of those around us for Your glory. And, please help us to remember to thank those who have helped us.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen