Not “Are You Afraid of the Dark Part 3”?!
Don’t worry. There will be more installments. I need some more time to feel ready to share more chapters of my life (that part at least). I appreciate your patience, friends.
From Steinways to Wurlitzers
I've been a piano tuning machine lately.
I mostly tune at schools, churches and venues nowadays, but I have the occasional residential tuning.
I headed to Grand River, IA a couple of weeks ago. Upon arrival, I saw a family sign at the beginning of the driveway that had "Ron *****" engraved in it (trying to keep their privacy). I was then greeted by a sweet woman named Rosemary (I've always loved that name).
I got to work, finished up the tuning and I asked her if she wanted to play it to see the difference (I like having clients try out the end result if they so choose). She kindly declined, and I asked her how long she's been playing the piano. She said she'd played most of her life, and that her husband loved when she played.
She then said, "Today is the anniversary of my husband's passing. I wanted to get the piano tuned today so that I could play some songs for him."
I nearly broke into tears on the spot. As someone who is a hopeless romantic, this didn’t just tug at my heart strings. My heart was on the floor.
I thought to myself…I hope someone does this for me one day.
I’m so fortunate to have had countless encounters like this one in my profession. I have many stories I could share, but this one felt extra special.
Rosie’s Piano
Songs write themselves with stories like these. I wrote this one tonight and thought I’d share it with all of you:
Rosie’s Piano
I made my way to ‘ol grand river
A town south of most everything
A couple miles away the roads were no longer paved
But the grasshoppers sure did sing
I pulled up to a house, kept by 3 farm dogs
They all wanted love, like you and me
Out walked the sweetest little ‘ol lady
And said her name is Rosemary
I always find myself wanting to know more
But time was of the essence, you see
So I went to her piano and made extra sure
That she’d be happy when I’d leave
I asked her if she’d like to sit and play a tune
It sure would put a smile on my face
Instead of a song, I heard a story
About her true love leaving this place
She said it hasn’t been the same since he’s been gone
I’m not always sure how to go on
But I thought if our piano were in tune
I could play him a song or two
I packed up my tools and picked up my heart
Oh, the hopeless romantic in me cried
I knew I couldn’t ever forget this place
Or the face of one who said goodbye
‘Cause she said it hasn’t been the same since he’s been gone
I’m not always sure how to go on
But I thought if our piano were in tune
I could play him a song or two
It’s the anniversary of what we used to be
Ron and Rosemary
Sharing Time
I’d like to share the song I wrote tonight with you all, titled “Rosie’s Piano.” I took a video instead of making a voice recording this time. I thought it’d be nice to change things up a bit.
I can’t wait to share the back story to more of my songs with all of you, as well as my journey in music and life. Until next time.
See you in a week
If you’re reading this, thank you. I’m honored. And I can’t wait to continue on this journey via Substack with all of you! We’ll see what next Sunday brings.
To learn more about myself, follow my show schedule and hear my music: Kathryn Severing Fox's website
Photo by Linda Soukop
Thank you for Rosemary. My husband died 2 years ago and he always told me one of his favorite things was when I sang for him. Sharing a full-throated rendition today that I hope he will hear.
The love story was great, then came the lyrics, then the voice. Wow! What a voice, in every sense of the word.