A recent message dealt with letting go of the past and a sentimental tie to a pitcher we had received as a wedding gift and had never used. We faced a much greater obstacle when resolving what to do with the baby grand piano that occupied a significant portion of our living area. Not only was the obstacle physically large, it had significant family ties. Could we let go of it?
The piano had been in Ed’s family for years. When his parents downsized, we were the willing and thrilled recipients of the baby grand. Both Ed and I had played the piano in our younger years and it would be a great addition to our home for relaxing and entertaining at parties. Oh, we were happy optimists about our use of the piano! Only very occasionally would one of us play and we never once hired a pianist to entertain at a party.
So the piano sat and served as entertainment for the cats that would occasionally slide down the open top. While a grand and beautiful piece, it became a space-taker rather than a space-enhancer. On a Friday evening, as we pondered the possible renovations to our home, it became very clear…the piano needed a new home.
The first step was to determine that no other member of Ed’s family wanted the piano. It had been a gift to us and we felt that family approval was appropriate before we found it a new home. Once approval was obtained, well, how do you find a piano a new home? Craig’s List? Piano consignment? Donation to a church or university? Perhaps my sister and her family would enjoy the piano?
By amazing coincidence, my sister had been attempting to furnish a room in their home and had just the place for the family piano. With two young daughters the piano would actually have “playmates”. Oh, what a delightful outcome for the “family” piano!
What had loomed before us as an ominous task, letting go of a family heirloom, became a delightful story of blending two families and finding a home for one of the eldest family members to enrich the lives of a new generation.