One day, I was at church for an activity of some sort. I left the place of activity to go to the bathroom and on the way I overheard someone playing a piano in another room. I couldn’t hear exactly what was being played, but I remember it was a gentle and nostalgic sort of tune. The music was in my head for a little while afterwards, and it formed a melody in my head. I am sure the melody I created is not the exact same melody I overheard, but similar.
I wondered what I was going to do with this melody, until I got the idea to write a short piano piece for my father, who could play the piano quite well (a lot better than me, anyway). I thought this piece would be a good fit for my dad. He has a quiet and gentle disposition, yet he is firm in his convictions and very intelligent and wise. He has had many, many years of experience as a leader in his career as a professor and administrator, as well as in his church service. I presented this piece to him as a present on Christmas Day, 2008. A few days later, he asked me to play it for him. He has since kept the piece and considers it a valuable gift.
He once told me a few years later that he was in a work meeting where everyone present was asked to present something that had special meaning for them. He played this piece on a piano and explained how much he appreciated this gift. He also noticed that the piece has the feel of a folk song. I think that is appropriate given his background in rural Canada. This piece is a very simple expression of my love and appreciation for my dad.
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