First Love

Ingeborg’s theme of Music for today’s Abstract Thursday is my chance to put the lovely G in the spotlight for a change. My ever-patient rock relishes the opportunities retirement brings for him to return to his first love, music making. 

A violinist who played throughout his childhood and his youth, G’s degree in music led  to him teaching music, with much extra curricular work with choirs, orchestras and ensembles as well as community music making. He conducted the local male voice choir and various operatic societies as well as playing in orchestras himself. Together, we worked on school productions - him as musical director, me as choreographer and director. Both our boys played instruments, taking music to A level, and although now following non-musical careers, it’s played a huge role in developing their self-confidence and social skills. 

But as G climbed the career ladder, there was less and less time for music making. As Director of Education he was a most fervent supporter of music and the arts in schools - a thankless task as Tory cuts marginalised these vital elements almost out of existence - but he always missed being part of music making himself. 

Retirement has allowed him to return to his first love. Initially, getting back into the violin was somewhat painful, with hours of scratchy practice behind closed doors when I would leave the house for sessions in the gym, but gradually his skills returned. Now he plays in several orchestras and ensembles, loving the creative interaction with fellow musicians. And I’m so glad he does. It’s good he has something for himself, something beyond driving me to numerous hospital appointment, picking up the pieces on a bad day, and generally trying to keep things running on an even keel. 

And so today we have his violin, double exposed with a previously taken shot of G playing. Thanks so much for your responses over the last two days, both for your comments, stars and hearts for my butterflies and bees, and also for your reassurances in terms for possible medical procedures. Blippers are wonderful!