{2} The Old Piano Bench

Every child in the Owens and Lewis families grew up spending time on Grandma Roxie's piano bench. Actually, most kids that grew up in the town of Show Low within the 40 years that she lived there had spent some time on that bench in the family room. Along with learning to play the piano, we learned all the crazy stories of our family. We learned how she had sold sewing machines door to door to help support their young family, that a "Norris Bowl" is an ice cream bowl completely full (because if you're going to eat ice cream then go all the way right? None of this small portions nonsense.) and that the Dancing Doll was powered by the magic of our Christmas caroling. Reading Bruce Feiler's research on the family, "The Stories That Bind Us", reminded me how big of a part of my life that my family stories have been. Without the stories that I heard on the piano bench growing up, I wouldn't have any idea where my family came from or the trials that they had to go through to get us to where we are today. I wouldn't be involved in timeless traditions passed down from ancestors. Being a part of such a big unit, that I know goes back for generations, has helped me to keep an eternal perspective. It reminds me that there were people before me and there will be people to come after me, so I need to make the best decisions that I can to best benefit them, as well as me. It is a testament to me that God has a plan for each of us and that He would never send us here alone, that we have a whole support system both on earth and in heaven, if only we will build our relationships with them.