The end of an era

I found out today that my piano teacher, Colleen Lauderback, passed away on Saturday. I don't know any other details besides that.

I started taking piano lessons in the third grade, and at the time, I vowed I would continue them for 4 years and then quit. I ended up continuing beyond high school. There was a core group of us that started taking lessons about the same time, and we all continued through high school. Myself, Peter Springs, and Kara Durbin (Munce). We added a few to our group along the way. Most students tended to only stay a few years, so we were always "the advanced kids"

Anyway, I have a lot of memories of recitals throughout the years. We helped set up the chairs, the refreshments, and decorate, and then helped take everything down. Colleen would take pictures with her Kodak 110 camera, and Wayne would sit on his designated chair in the kitchen.

I could always drop by the house unannounced and just walk in. She loved cows. Everything was cows. I think she was "Miss cowgirl 1947 Skagit County" or something like that. Everytime I see something with cows on it, I am compelled to buy it for her. I think I probably still have a few things lying around that I never got around to giving to her.

Several times she had me come play the piano at her church, where she was the organist. She always told me I should take organ lessons, that she would pay for them if I wanted to take them. I never took her up on the offer, but I should have.

When I was raising money to go on my trip to France, she gave me money even though I didn't ask her. As I was leaving the house, Wayne grabbed my arm and gave me more.

She wrote me a glowing recommendation letter when I was applying for colleges. In it she said that when something needed to be done, I would say "I'll take care of it" and it would always be done. I hope to live up to that.

I am glad that I had the opportunity to involve her somewhat in my life after high school. I would occasionally visit when I went to Anacortes, and I had her play the piano at my wedding. Her arthritis prevented her from playing like she used to be able to, but it didn't matter. I am glad that she was able to meet my daughter, even though she was quite young, about a year and a half ago. I suppose I will always regret not going to visit her more often, but I am glad that I did visit.

I am very trusting in the power of God to prevail over death and sickness. I tend to assume that people will get well, and that people won't die. Obviously, that can't hold true forever, and I guess I've come to realize that over time.

So, I am very glad to have known Colleen for the past 20 years or so of my life. I pray that she was able to realize just how many lives she has touched over the years, including mine. I will get the itch to play Christmas music in August, and might even take organ lessons someday.

So, thank you Colleen, for all you have done for all of us. You will be greatly missed here, but I'm sure heaven is filled with great piano music now. :)