Theme: Music

 (challenge by Amy Johnson Crow)

 My challenge for 2021, I am writing 52 “stories” about my mother’s parents and their line instead of 52 ancestors.  I thought it would be a good way to get those stories onto the page for others to enjoy.

For the Theme MUSIC, I thought I would highlight Patricia Schoenewald (my mother) and her sister, Darlene.

 I didn’t recall any story about their parents, aunts, uncles or grandparents having any musical genes but when I made that statement to my Aunt Darlene, she told me a story.

“One day as she was walking up to the house from school (younger grade school years), she heard the piano playing. Her first thought was someone must be visiting. Once she entered the house, she realized it was her grandmother Lilly playing the piano. Darlene was so surprised as she did not know her grandmother knew how to play the piano.  And she never heard her play again.  Darlene remembers that she played very well.  Also, her mother, Emmeline, would play enough of the piano to help with the Sunday School Class choir however never for any length of time or just for pleasure.”

Those two stories tell us there were musical genes in the family.

Both Pat and Darlene played the piano at a young age.  I did take lessons in grade school but wasn’t able to continue since we moved away and the opportunity wasn’t available anymore. I do dabble every once in a while. My sister’s grandson took several years of lessons but decided it wasn’t for him. And one of my sisters is currently taking lessons.

Pat only played the piano for fun.  Her and a girlfriend used to play together since Pat’s parents had two pianos in the house at one time.  The piano wasn’t really something that Pat wanted to continue to play like her sister did.

Pat also played the accordion.  Here is a picture of her and one of her boyfriends. In fact, I still have an accordion that Pat had.  I did try playing but didn’t pursue any lessons or practiced enough to become good at it.

Pat Schoenewald with boyfriend in the early 1950s

Darlene had a passion for playing the piano.  She would play for events at the church even as a little girl.  The family piano was gifted to her. It is a big upright beautiful one that is still in the family with one of Darlene’s nieces.

Darlene Schoenewald in the early 1960s

Hopefully the music genes continue to be passed down and someone in the family will find their passion playing the beautiful family piano.

The Family Piano