Thrifty Thursday: Dreams Come True

     Ever since Richard and I got married, we've talked about getting a piano. I took lessons as a young girl. Richard has a gift for anything musical. He taught himself to play the guitar and can imitate just about any song he hears. I tell him listening to the car radio is so much better when he's there with me - his harmonizing adds flavor to every song. So much so that when I hear the song later without him, it seems suddenly bland. (That's Richard for you - adding harmony and zest to everything in my life!)
      But for all our talk, 10 years later we had yet to purchase a piano. "How can we afford it?" "Where would we put it?!" These were always the concerns that cropped up whenever the dream was discussed. For about a year we rented the upstairs of a house that was furnished with an old upright. What sweet memories we made with that. Richard was called to be a choir director for our church and every Sunday morning I'd bake cookies for all those who came to our home to practice singing hymns. Eventually, I even ventured to buy an electric keyboard second-hand for $15, not knowing for sure if it was still in working condition. I brought it home, popped 6 C batteries in there and that baby has served us well for about 3 years. That's been a real blessing. But it seemed our dream of owning a piano would forever be just that - only a dream.
     One evening I received a forwarded email from my mother-in-law. A neighbor of hers was selling her home and everything in it after relocating to a care center. We had bought a trunk-load of treasures earlier that week from her garage sale: 3 books, a sewing table, several kitchen items plus another decorative table, all for 20 bucks. But the email said the buyer for her piano had backed out and they'd be accepting bids from anyone interested in buying it. When I read it, my heart skipped a beat. Could we do it? Could this be it? There were pictures of it, beautiful, dark walnut wood with a matching bench. A Henry F. Miller grand upright. I didn't know much about brands or types, but it looked like it would fit just right in our living room! But how much?
     I showed the message to Richard who shared my enthusiasm, as well as my concern. We emailed a reply to ask where the bidding was at. The answer came back: $250. This was a bit high for an unplanned expense. Yet, we both agreed that we intended to buy a piano eventually and in passing up this opportunity we'd likely be spending much, much more. So we made an offer of $275 and waited. 24 hours later we rejoiced at the news: we were still the highest bidder! The piano was ours!!
     Richard did some comparison shopping for the best deal on piano movers and arranged to have the gorgeous instrument delivered to our home the next evening. The piano mover had some experience in buying and selling old instruments and guessed that our Miller was most likely 90 years old and would run at about $800. After he had moved it into its designated space, he played several bars of flowing music to test it out. Let me tell you, when I heard that full, melodious sound echoing from the walls of my own home, I clasped my hand over my heart and actually laughed for joy! I felt as if I were in a dream. And I guess I was. I'm now living that ever elusive dream of having a piano of my very own. I borrowed some furniture polish and tidied up Mr. Miller (a previous owner had developed the inconsiderate habit of placing lit wax candles on him. Forest green wax candles, by the looks of things.) Mr. Miller also has a mirror running the length of his top. We were told there was a fad at one point, to cut out a portion of the grand upright's top and set a mirror in it instead. If this decreased the tone quality at all, I can't tell, though it is a bit odd being able to see your own eyes blinking back at you when you sit down to play. Nevertheless, we love Mr. Miller whole-heartedly. Not just for his rich, powerful voice, but for everything he stands for. Harmony, peace, refinement and love. And most of all, he serves as a symbol that dreams do come true.
     Keep your hope alive, my friends. Don't miss those miracles being sent your way. They may be waiting in you gmail inbox, they might be right outside your front door. And most definitely, they will come in the form of tiny hands reaching, little lips pouting, and mischievous eyes, shining.
     That's all for now. I think I'll go play some music. A duet, maybe. Me and the miraculous Mr. Miller!