The vintage music books lay in a neat pile on top of her old vinyl records. Reaching out, he picked one up and looked at it. The paper was slightly yellow from age.
I can’t believe she’s still got these books, he thinks. I remember how pleased she was when she found them in an antique shop in Greymont. I’d just passed my Grade 4 practical music exam and she was hopeful I would learn to play some of the songs.
He’d started music lessons at four years old and had learned to read music fluently before he could read. He remember his mother telling him that he had initially struggled to learn the alphabet and to read because it was like learning a second language for him.
She had done everything she could to encourage him with his music. Listening to him practice every morning before she went to work and taking him to lessons in the afternoons when she got home were built into her long list of daily activities. He’d been having three hour-long lessons a week before elected to give up music; one for singing, one for theory, and one for practical piano.
When he’d reached high school and decided to stop playing the piano, his mother had hidden her disappointment and allowed him to do so without an argument. She’d accepted that music was something that no longer interested her tall, academic son. He was not a creative and she couldn’t live her life through him. She let it go and he’d pursued maths, science and IT.
He’d been grateful for her understanding, especially as he knew she would have loved an opportunity to learn to play when she was a girl. One day she’d told him that a next-door-neighbour had started teaching her when she was nine years old. Her family had moved a few months later and she’d never had another chance to learn.
He turned the page of the top book and it opened to ‘My Favourite Things’ from ‘The Sound of Music’.
Mother’s favourite song. She always said she wanted me to play it at her funeral one day. Of course, she didn’t expect to die of a stroke just before her fiftieth birthday. Didn’t know that her blood pressure was a ticking time bomb due to years of work-induced chronic stress.
A tear slipped down his cheek and plopped onto the page.
I can’t play it at her funeral myself but I can see that it is played. This song and Morning has Broken will definitely be included in the order of service at her memorial.
This piece was written for Suzanne Burke’s weekly challenge. You can join in here: https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/2020/09/18/fiction-in-a-flash-challenge-week-18-new-image-prompt-join-in-the-fun-iartg-asmsg-writingcommunity-pursoot/
roberta-writes.com 
A lovely take on the prompt, Robbie. Poignant and moving 😊
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Thank you, Harmony. Something a bit different for me.
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A sad reflection of a son, but so glad he is going to play her favorite song for her, even it is not him playing it. Good take on this challenge.
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Thank you for this moving take on this week’s prompt, Robbie. I’m delighted you joined us again this week and I’m about to share your post on my site. 😊
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Thanks Suzanne. I loved this weeks picture.
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A perfect example of life’s tragedies, Robbie. Thank you for sharing!
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Yes, life is full of unexpected surprises. Thanks Jan.
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Wow! Powerful and poignant… ❤
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Thank you, Bette.
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choices.. always choices – quite well done
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You are right, Annette, life is a series of choices and decisions.
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So often parents don’t know when to let go of the dreams they have for their children. Even the ones that fit the child need to belong to them, not their parents. You’ve really captured the emotions. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. It is not easy letting your kids go there own way.
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It’s not. And my younger one had the expectations of her older sister to deal with as well. But she was very good at keeping to her own path and gently reminding us we needed to back off. With the older one, no one could ever tell her what to do.
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A poignant story. I didn’t expect the mother to die so young. “Morning Has Broken” was played at both of my parents’ funerals.
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HI LIz, Morning has broken is a lovely song. These are the songs I want played at my funeral one day.
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a beautiful story, and two wonderful songs mentioned.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Jim. These are my favourite songs.
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there are so many great songs from The Sound of Music – I’m not sure which one would be my favorite. Perhaps Edelweiss or The Lonely Goatherd…
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Both terrific, Jim
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A beautiful and poignant story, Robbie. A touching take on the prompt.
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Thank you, Mae. I wanted murder and mayhem but this is what came to me 😉
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My mom once bought me a music box that played “Favorite Things.” I think she liked the song far more than I did.
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I must admit that I do like it, H. I love musicals.
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A touching take on the prompt, Robbie. I also quit music lessons as a teen, so I could relate to both son and mother. A sweet tribute to his mom even if he couldn’t play the piece himself.
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Thank you, Diana. This is based on truth with my son, Greg. My recent illness due to high blood pressure is also true. I don’t think I’m going to die yet though [smile]. I am getting better.
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I’m glad you’re getting better, Robbie. Blood pressure can be well-managed these days. Take care of yourself, especially during these stressful times.
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That was a poignant tale and so well written. All the best Robbie.
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Thank you, Mark
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