Music. I’ve always loved it. Ever since I turned 11 and discovered the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. If I was in my room my record player was spinning. Like every other teenager I couldn’t drive anywhere without my music blasting – 8 track, then cassettes, then CD’s, now MP3s. Growing up in church I developed a love for the old hymns and gospels songs, Truth in words and melody. Taking piano and organ lessons for years prepared me to play for church services, weddings, funerals and spiritual retreats – something I still do today on occasion. I love to sing too, whether it was trying to sound like Carole King in my high school years or getting to belt out Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone with the worship team. Heck, I even got to sing the blues with a local band once for a corporate event. (That time it was a Bonnie Raitt tune.) I don’t think it surprised anyone who knew me that my first purchase when I moved away from home was not a TV, it was an upright Grand Piano.

My son has this same deep love, maybe even deeper than mine. He also has the ear, a gift for playing any instrument he picks up. By the time he was 6 he would sit at the organ or piano in our living room and jam, picking out beautiful melodies that were pleasing to the ear, not a discordant note to be heard. I bought him his first guitar when he was 8 and he continues to add to the collection. From the Djembe drum (used in the drum circle at Eyeore’s Birthday party and at the greenbelt on a Sunday afternoon) to the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and a bass – he’s got them all and he can play them all. I love it that all my old vinyls are still spinning to this day on his turntable sitting on top of one of the best LP collections known to man.

Recently some of us musically inclined in the family have thought about finding a song we can learn together to play at a family gathering. We love music and we love family, why not put the two together? Some of us are classically trained, some of us are having trouble finding the F chord, but I think we can make it work. Last weekend my son and I were texting about the chords to the song we want. I asked if I could come over and have him check out my keyboard, maybe start to practice a little. He said yes! (It is a very exciting thing when your grown son not only lets you come over to visit but wants to spend time with you.)

For 1 ½ hours we jammed. Jammin’ involves not just playing and singing, of course. There is instrument set-up, tuning, finding the song on You Tube in the key you need to hear how the pros do it and decide what style you want to adopt. It’s about connecting over the music, talking about your fave artists, great deals on the web for vintage albums, the best tuning app for your smartphone. But mainly it’s about having fun and being together; watching the face of the one you love light up as he displays the gift God gave him, feeling the pride of his accomplishment, and being amazed that we could actually make decent music together! “You take the lead on the keyboard and vocals, Mom, and I’ll provide the rhythm and keep us on beat.” Great fun.

Of the many blessings I have received in my life, not a one of which is deserved, at the top of the list are love of music and family. And Jammin’ on a Sunday evening. With my son.