Ham Fried Rice

Last weekend our church held its annual talent show. I performed Chopin’s Nocturne in E minor, Opus 72, No. 1. I realize this is a novice piece, which I would never deign to play for any of my classical music friends, several of whom have gone on to pursue Master’s degrees in music. (Some of my former teenage competitors are the five Brown siblings from Juillard.) But I thought this was a momentous occasion for me. As a stay-at-home mom of three, it’s rare, indeed, to steal 15 minutes away to “practice.” Gone are the days of intensive daily two hour practice sessions. Now, maybe once a month, sometimes every few months, I’ll sit down to play something, only to have my children disrupt me with various needs and requests. Regardless, I also thought it was a courageous moment, since I’ve only performed a solo two other times publicly since I quit piano lessons 15 years ago.

Back to the talent show. What an interesting experience. Refreshments were consumed and strewn all over the floors. Children were roaming all over, screaming their heads off, running around, distracting me peripherally. Of course, in their defense, it was “just” a church talent show. But I think it could have been an excellent moment for their parents to sit them down and have a cultural experience. Instead, I felt like I was performing at the county fair, casting my beloved pearls… only instead of swine, it was more like a general cattle call.