Itzhak Perlman performed with our local philharmonic orchestra last weekend, and Keats and I attended as we did when he was here in 2014. I think the applause at this concert was the most enthusiastic I’ve ever heard, maybe even more so than the previous performance. Last time, he was able to walk onstage, but this time he entered in an electric chair. He then took up his arm braces and raised himself to standing and climbed the step to his seat on the podium without assistance. It was obviously difficult for him and the applause only strengthened as he made the move from one chair to the other. That simple act of bravery was as beautiful to witness as watching him perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, op.64. (That is a very old video, and not the entire piece, but I love the interview at the beginning.)
The performance was mesmerizing and such a privilege to see. All too soon it ended and we all stood and clapped our hearts out for Mr. Perlman. Finally, it seemed he had something to say and a hush came over the auditorium as he was handed the microphone. After telling us that we had applauded enough for nine curtain calls he told us that there would be an encore. With, I suspect, a sparkle in his eyes he said they would be playing a little known piece by a well-known composer: The theme from Schindler’s List. Surely I wasn’t the only one whose eyes filled with tears. To watch him perform that beautiful, heartbreaking song, my goodness, what a gift. I couldn’t believe it. Maybe I’m silly. But maybe you understand. I think we all exited that performance a little stunned.
There was something more than that though, I had this feeling of wanting to recapture something, a more deliberate everyday desire to teach my children to look for the good and the beautiful. And I don’t mean only the easy or obvious, but the beauty that shines forth from creation whether it be the gorgeous, rich color of our Virginia fall, or the beauty that pours from someone’s spirit in a song. I write from the perspective of someone who spent years surrounding herself with ugliness. I don’t want that for my children. My hope is that they would choose beauty, always.
Maybe that all sounds just a little highfalutin or at best naive. But what I mean is that I remember days not too long ago when I had only two little boys. They might wake to meet a table covered in paper and set with trays of watercolors. They would paint while I made breakfast. The days were long and I filled them with nature walks, library visits, and composer biographies on CD. And certainly, I am looking back through rose-tinted glasses. But I know it’s true that our days were characterized by a deliberate pursuit of something good. They were also slower, albeit sometimes painfully so.
I’ll never get those days back, none of us do. Once it’s past, it’s past. And there’s no recreating those days of more than a decade ago in our current household with kids ranging from college student down to a three-year old. Life just isn’t so simple anymore and it’s clearly not meant to be. Time always marches forward and with it change comes. I know what I share here in words, and maybe more so in photographs, illustrates childhood wild and free. We certainly have a good bit of that because I’m good at telling my kids to go play outside and we are privileged to live in a place that allows that. But rest assured that you’re not the only one arguing with your kids about screen time. You’re not the only one too exhausted at the end of the day to remember that you wanted to cover the kitchen table with paper and pull out the watercolors. So what to do with the here and now?
I think it comes back to being deliberate with our days and my priorities. Just as I get my children to Mass and homeschool co-op every week, I have to decide what else I want to be priority. Sharing with my children the good and the beautiful is so very important. Showing them again and again that this life is more interesting than anything they can see on a screen. Even if all I can do is small things to get us all steered toward the dreams that I had for our family when there were just two little boys and I was a young, energetic mother, that is good. I don’t have quite that energy now, so I’ll read aloud more. I’ll play beautiful music and I’ll drop everything to take walks in the woods. I’ll leave the little crockpot out for days for beeswax dipped leaves and not worry when those leaves take over the counter. Tonight, I’ll cover the kitchen table with paper (I buy the rolls from IKEA) and set out watercolors. And on Saturday, we have tickets to take Silas and Job to see a live performance of Peter and the Wolf for Job’s birthday. (That’s an affiliate link to a performance I recently purchased to listen to at home.) I’m not sure that they will appreciate it as much as Seth and Keats would have, but it’s a start. I’m excited!
p.s. Thank you for all of your kind and understanding comments on my last post. Thank you for sharing your stories with me. Most of the photos in this post were taken on our 21st wedding anniversary trip to Big Meadows. We visited her little place in the woods and it was really healing. An interesting thing that happened was a vulture flew into the woods right towards us as Larkspur was taking photos of Jonny and me. It was alarming at first, and rather strange, but also felt very special. Encounters with wild creatures always feel that way to me. Though I have to admit, we later witnessed it visiting other people out on the meadow and even next to the visitor’s center. I think it was just hoping for a handout. I’m calling its visit with us special, nonetheless.
Taryn says
I can relate to what you’re saying. After such a scare of almost losing Jeff this year, it shook me awake and has made me want to be more present in the moment- savoring all the time with my loved ones, appreciating the gift of life in each moment. I fall into worrying about things that don’t matter in the grand scheme of things, and then remind myself to focus on what’s important.
P.S. I love the joy in these pictures. The ones of you and Jonny are so sweet, like two newlyweds in love. 🙂
Ib says
I always hop over to your blog when in need of some beauty.
God bless you and your family!
Sandra says
Happy Anniversary to you both. It looks as though you had a special day which is always nice. I so love your posts and even though my children are grown up and I’m now on teen grandchildren, you always speak to the inner me. Taking delight in the beautiful is my pursuit – thank you. It’s not too difficult at this time of the year on a sunny day but the dark rainy days are the challenge. 🙂
Laura says
Ginny, thank you for sharing these thoughts! I have been having similar feelings lately, but have not made any move to “fix” what I’ve been feeling. I’ve been missing the days when I just had littles at home and our days were slow and far more intentional than they feel now. Now I feel overwhelmed at times and far too busy with kids needing to be in many different directions. I feel like the things that I loved to do with the kids get pushed aside for school, dance, crew, and so on. And my biggest issue is that I really want my little ones to have similar experiences that my older kids had – days at the park or in the woods, art at home, lots of reading stories with a lot of time at the library – and yet, I just don’t have the time for as much as this. And just to comment on your feelings at the concert – no, you are not alone. But, I do feel like it can be in response to different things for different people. For me, it can be music, but it is more likely to be while watching beautiful dancers – particularly ballet and modern. Happy anniversary to you and Jonny – love all the pictures!
Courtney Curtis says
Thank you Ginny for taking the time to share these thoughts with us. I find it so interesting that, at times, you write about just exactly how I’m feeling. This post was just that for me. It’s comforting to know that others have a similar experience, it lightens those heavy feelings for me and I thank you so much for doing that.
Jenny says
This post spoke to me on so many levels. I have children from 27 to 7, with one miscarriage and one son in Heaven. I commented to my husband today as we were walking through the woods, that life seems to get in the way of the living I want for my family. Play practice, his military job, online classes for the high schooler, all place obstacles to my desire for days in the camper, exploring nature, sharing our faith. How to find the balance is the tricky part. I always love visiting your blog because it gives me hope that I can find that balance. Today, no one wanted to go to the state park, but no one wanted to leave when it was time to go. Basically, I want to say thank you for your lovely spot in this crazy world.
Judith says
Dear Ginny:
A truly beautiful and inspirational post. I am humbled by your words and grateful for the beauty that you share with your “online family”. And always, may God bless you and your family with abundance.
Lana says
When our daughter was at Converse College getting her art degree she met a young man from Cairo, Egypt who was working on his Master’s in piano performance. When he was five he was told he had to choose a musical instrument to study. He chose the piano and was told no because he is a dwarf and he has tiny hands. But, he persisted in asking to learn the piano and finally his parents gave in. His name is Wael Farouk.. You can find him on YouTube. When ever I feel like I need to remember that I can succeed I remember Wael. We were blessed to have him give private little concerts for us in our home when he came home with our daughter and friends for some not college food. I hope you have a chance to look him up and see what he has accomplished inspite of his tiny hands.
Becky says
Or it was guarding your daughter! Regardless it is a nature sign, all good!
Marlena says
When we adopted our daughter as a newborn my first strong hope for her was a soul sensitive to the beautiful and the good, and that was my first prayer for her. I sure hope I can do my part. This post really touched me. ❤️
Caroline Brown says
Ginny, your photos are always spectacular! They grab your attention and always emote feelings. Together with your wonderful writing skills you would make an extraordinary photo journalist. Keep up the great work. You are creating treasures! ❤️
Caroline says
Ginny, your photos are always spectacular! They grab your attention and always emote feelings. Together with your wonderful writing skills you would make an extraordinary photo journalist. Keep up the great work. You are creating treasures! ❤️
Marion says
Ginny your children always look happy no matter what they are involved with. We all need to stop and enjoy the beauties of life.
Marion
Shannon Dennis says
I think of you as a kindred spirit even though we have never met. I hope that doesn’t come off as creepy. I love reading your post because they put into words feelings from moments that touch me deeply, but I tend to keep to myself as I’m always afraid others will think I’m strange. Fortunately God gave me a husband who truly understands me and we often hold hands and cry together from something touching that has squeezed our hearts.
Thank you for your beautiful writing that lends so much to our lives.
Antonia from Prague, Czech Republic says
Oh Ginny… Your posts always bring me back to reality. I have one little girl (10 months old) and our life seems so crazy with her. Also we’ve just moved flats. And my husband is starting a new job. So we are organizing all the un/necessary things around that… It’s difficult for me to even find time to eat properly.
So reading about the contrast between your “slow days with two boys” and the present reminds me my life is OK now 😀
Thank you for sharing your life. It’s always one of the highlights of my days. Your life experience is so valuable.
I am pretty sure heaven will look like your pictures 🙂
Julia says
I love this! I spend a lot of time contemplating how can I add in or “strew” truth, beauty and goodness into our days. I love concrete advice. I have not pulled out our paints for many years, but what a great way to enjoy some beauty in our home. Also, great idea to keep the beeswax pot going for a few days. I’ve always done it within a 1-2 hour time span and then turned off the pot, but why not keep it going?!
Marilyn says
Thank You Ginny for this inspiring post. As I get older I am trying to appreciate the simple things in life. There is beauty all around us.
Marilyn
Joan says
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Beautiful photos of you and your beautiful family. Making time for the beauty of the world should be a priority in all our lives.
Joan
karen says
I’d like to think that I am seeking out the beautiful and the good in every day. It’s funny how that has to be a priority in this busy crazy world. Lovely photos and L. did a fantastic photo of you and your husband – well done!
Jennifer says
Ginny you are so wise and inspiring. Your blog is a gem for the world. Really what is there without beauty? And beauty really is all around us. It’s a matter of where we put our attention. Thank you for sharing.
Dawn Harris says
All of your posts are beautiful but this one and the last will really leave their mark on me. I have had similar experiences and thoughts. And you are so right to look for the beautiful. It really is a choice, isn’t it? Even though sometimes we need a reminder. Remembering that we are nature and nature is us and living accordingly is a big (maybe the biggest) part of that for us and it is not hard to be awed by God’s creation here in the mountains of NC. But, I, too sometimes “forget” to provide those helpful invitations to beauty and then find myself wanting to say, “Will you all be quiet a minute and look at this beautiful thing I am trying to show you!!” Then, I feel better when my children wake me up to show me the flock of wild turkeys in our field or pick up a leaf and give it to me for a “treasure.” They are not really little any more (7 and 8) and I am glad that this kind of noticing seems to be part of who they are. Thank you so much for sharing your world with your readers. That, in itself, is a very brave and beautiful thing. Peace!
Cathy V says
I felt the same way when I saw Mr. Perlman in concert. It was breathtaking and I will always remember how his music made me feel. That is the gift of a true artist.
In this era of turmoil I am trying very hard to see the beauty, kindness and goodness in our world. And to share that beauty with my family, my friends and the people I meet on a daily basis. It is my own anti-rebellion of sorts I suppose. None of us are spared heartbreak in this world (as you so poignantly shared with us last week) and it seems to be that the world is a better place when we care and help.
Thank you for all of your thoughts, your photos and for sharing your wonderful life and family with us each week.
Myriam says
Ginny, your words struck a chord, and the sound of it is still resonating. I’ve been wanting more and more to cut back on screen time for the kids, and just get.them.outside. In spite of everything that gets in the way. Also thinking that planning more indoor activities ahead of time can help the flow of our days. Thanks for your words and pictures. If you ever need a getaway, you’re welcome up in Southern Ontario! We just had our first snow and the wonder of it all is beyond words.
Becky says
As a mom of 4 grown children with babes of their own I so enjoy seeing your photos and reading your lovely words. Thank you for encouraging and reminding us of the beauty in our lives with our people.
Jan says
Thank You. You have such a lovely way with words.
Rachel says
I love everything about this post! Thank you for sharing.
Antonia Cammarota says
Reading this post, and just caught up on the other – I’m so sorry about your miscarriage. I think you named her the most perfect name! And this post is lovely!
Rachel says
Love everything about this!
Sandra says
Your posts always touch my heart. Much love to you Ginny.
Jennifer D. says
Mr. Perlman is a remarkable man. So wonderful you were able to see that concert. All of your posts resonate, but this particularly, on this morning…sighing. And tears. Lots of love to you, Jenny. ps-it’s been a while, but I wanted to say I’m so very happy with my photos from you. I just *love* them.
Victoria Wilkes says
This is such a timely reminder for me, with a newborn baby and a 3 year old, both with colds at the moment! I feel like all I do most days is take care of everyone’s immediate physical needs. It is easy to lose sight of the beauty sometimes. I’m really thankful for your reminder this morning!
And I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My daughter’s name is Elanor, too. I know we don’t know each other in real life but my heart goes out to you so much – praying for you and your family.
Eileen says
Happy Anniversary!
Your pictures are stunning!