Rosa Mystica arrived shortly after 5 p.m.
Nothing was watering some of the more recently planted chamaecyparis and a weeping hemlock when the UPS truck pulled up. It had figured the harp would not be coming as thought. The driver said the address had a number incorrect, but he kindly carried the large (but lightweight) box to the front door. It had "HARP" stamped on it several places, and "FRAGILE."
So nothing told him that it was taking on a new venture in the final years--learning to play the harp. The young man's face brightened, and he grinned and said, "Cool!" He seemed to mean it. We oldsters must leave legacies for the young--some encouragements on what to do when one is "old."
Now nothing must learn how to play. It ran its fingers over the strings--who could resist? Yes, sounds like a harp! Now must learn how to tune, how to hold fingers for best sound, learn the strings and what keys they represent.
This is a lap harp, Megan Morgan lap harp, now named "Rosa Mystica" and dedicated to Our Lady. Nothing cannot sit well or for long, due to pain, so a lap harp is good as it can be played while slouching, or standing (by placing it on a stand or tall table). The natural position is sitting erect, but a small harp like this one can be adaptable. Besides, the angel ornament held a small harp, like this one. Nothing was two or three when that angel ornament left its imprint.
There is a certain thrill to this venture that none other of recent times has imbued--of this nature. It comes close to a spiritual experience, truly. Somehow, this harp has linked an early childhood intrigue with a small, plastic angel ornament on the Christmas tree with nothing's mission to just adore Him. Praise the Lord with the harp!
There is no urgency about this instrument, crafted over the past three months by a luthier who moved several years ago to a small town with a lovely name. The fretwork cross and the overlaid leaves are an extravagance nothing decided upon, for the harp is a part of nothing now, and a part of Agnus Dei Hermitage.
Of first order, when next nothing sees its regular confessor, the rector and vicar general, is to have Rosa Mystica properly blessed. In the meantime, nothing is ever-so-grateful for the gift of a harp, and for the spiritual implications, the joy, the peace, the beauty and tones that come forth from such a spiritually rich and religiously ancient instrument.
The hermit takes a harp! It suits, doesn't it? Meant to be. Kind of ordained from early on, and now, later on, being fulfilled. This is deeply meaningful, deeply spiritual for nothing! Thanks be to God!
4 comments:
Hello dear nothing, and congratulations on your beautiful harp. It is very special to have realized this childhood dream. Have you a teacher? Music offers a set of complex challenges but engages the mind, body and spirit in satisfying ways. I urge you to find a harp teacher to guide you and prevent you from developing bad habits. A musical da....
Have worried about your pain and kept you close in prayer.
Happy feast day of St. Clare. God bless you.
Dear Terry,
You are so right about music! As a former clarinetist, the emotions can pour out and in and through a musical instrument. But to begin an instrument that has been in the thoughts for years, is a grace from God. Last night was reading that the harp is one of the most ancient of the stringed instruments. Good old antiquity!
Read through some instructions, and there are some finger exercises to do, with how to hold the fingers and hands and also to practice certain key strings. But even first, is mentioned tuning the harp so on the way or return from noon Mass will purchase the tuner recommended.
There is a name of a harp teacher, so contact might be made, but not quite yet due to the budget. Didn't write about hermit finances and the vow made to not use a credit card--just began Aug. 1!
The bad habits one can develop in playing a harp.... It was suggested to watch harp players on Youtube, so did the other evening. One young man played, and a comment was left that he did amazingly well considering he was not playing the strings properly, and the harp teacher offered to give him pointers via internet!
Last night nothing was talking with the Da, and he said surely 'twould need harp lessons. Nothing said it would first ask Beth, as a guardian angel ought to be able to play the harp. He laughed and said surely so. We'll see if Beth is up to it, at least for now until the trees and mulch and more chamaecyparis are paid off.
Thank you for the prayers, also. The pain is tolerable, and yet this morning had to change the routine and remain stilled rather than up and to early Mass. The other evening, when the regular confessor was ashen with some virus, nothing realized during Mass as he held his head in his hands, that nothing has been remiss in offering its suffering for priests who are under the weather. That has made the higher level pain very worthwhile, and hopefully ones with much responsibility and needed interaction with souls will be released from sickness, and nothings will absorb it joyfully.
Have been thanking my parents aloud and interiorly, for the many gifts they have provided in a place to live, trees and plants, and a harp. And, probably a harp instructor before too long!
I hope Beth comes through for you.(LOL!) As a violin teacher, I am glad some music students still pay for lessons in the worldly way! When you do get to Mass at noon, you will find the first reading to your liking, I think. Ezekiel consumes the scroll containing words like pain and lamentation...and they are as sweet as honey. How beautiful that we can consume Him in the host and in the Word. Today I will offer my small sufferings for our dear pastor who has dental surgery. We do need to be vigilant in prayer for our good priests. Happy harping!
Dear Terry,
While out hacking at hardened clay soil to fill in more ground cover, the reflection of what "I" might be asked in encounters with a harp instructor. That usually, more and more, comes to me, that it is not what I "need to receive" but what the Lord may desire of me to give--beyond, of course, lesson payments which are very necessary for teachers!
Years ago played clarinet, and it was the private lessons with the band director that forged a bond, so that later when his son's young wife committed suicide and the son went on to marry several times, I felt I could pray, pray, pray--and still yet, after the band director is not in physical form. I yet think of the little boy born to the young wife, and how his life is, now, and the band director son's, as well. I also recall a time when I won many awards at graduation, and I said something in the presence of this band director--in my way of awkwardly accepting praise but doing so in a way to seem flippant and proud--that shamed me. Just a glance from him. So yes, there is much good in taking private lessons, in seeing in what ways the Lord will use that encounter for years and into eternity.
Am looking forward to the readings at Mass! Thanks for the "head's up"--and will offer the Eucharist for your priest's dental surgery.
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