My children think it's funny, my wife suspects a mid-life crisis, my friends won't understand, but... I'm going to take accordion lessons. After you've finished laughing, read on.
First of all, banish the image of jolly Herr Braun delighting the beerhall with another rousing polka. Picture instead the beret-clad Lebrun in a basement café off the Boul' Mich, the crowd falling silent as he begins La vie en rose...
Actually, I think the seeds of this idea were really planted 20 years ago, by the John Cougar Mellencamp song Cherry Bomb. That's more what I'm aiming at. I already use synthesized accordion sounds from time to time with the worship band at church, and I think it would be fun to play them live. Not to mention having a instrument that's portable and doesn't need to be plugged in!
Seriously, though, the real significance of all this is the renewal of hope. When I began my sick leave, last July, I thought had the idea of learning accordion as a way to fill the time, but I never had the energy for it. Then in January, when I learned that my cancer had come back, I gave up on it. What's the point of investing your last months on earth in acquiring a new skill?
Now, however, I'm feeling much better, and the prayers and encouragement of so many friends have helped me to believe I will be healed. It seems like this is my chance to do it. I've rented the instrument, found a teacher, and my lessons start in two days.
So, hope is an accordion - at least it isn't bagpipes!
(My apologies to bagpipe players, polka enthusiasts, and those who will have to listen to me practise.)
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What a great idea ! Just don't play without a shirt on. Those things can really pinch !
ReplyDeleteUncle Vince.
go for it! I especially like that you are going for the french rather than the german/polish sound! hopefully Liette will find it romantic!
ReplyDeleteAround Easter I began to pray and claim John 10:10 for you...the enemy wants to steal, kill and destroy BUT JESUS came that we might have LIFE abundantly. I continue to speak LIFE over you...and life is a person Jn 14:6. Love and blessings, Ruth
For myself as one who grew up amongst Ukrainians in Winnipeg, I'd say that your accordion lessons are long overdue. Mind you I don't play the accordion, but I have marvelled at the thing at times. My dad asked me to learn the bagpipes, that I did not, but accordion would have be interesting. As the expression goes: a gentleman is a man who knows how to play the bagpipes but does not.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the music!
I believe in trying to learn something distinctly new and different each year, so definitely accordion is a thunbs up for that.