And then she cried (wailed)(very loudly) on the couch for about an hour.
If she wasn't just 7 years old, I'd say she had PMS.
When she gets like this, there's just not a lot a person can do for her. I get her on my lap and try to talk to her, but the sobbing just continues while she simultaneously drenches my lovely throw pillows in snot and tears.
It's fun being the mother to girls.
Finally, we had to go to her piano lesson. She cried all the way there, insisting that I didn't love her and going through an entire package of Kleenex. She calmed down just enough for us to go inside, where I mouthed to her teacher that she'd had a bad day (as if she couldn't tell already what with the swollen eyes and the bright red nose) and Chloe reluctantly sat down at the piano.
She unhappily played through her scales, which is probably normal, since scales are less than exciting.
But when she started playing her first piece--one that she particularly likes--I saw little smiles creep in during her favorite parts. But they quickly disappeared and she would force a frown back on her face. During her second piece, she openly smiled through it. And as she played Minuet in G and Fur Elise, she beamed.
I love how the music rose up within her soul and touched her heart and turned around her entire day. It does the same thing for me--when I'm in a particularly bad mood, I will often sit down at the piano and sing or play something I love. It works wonders.
I called Chloe's attention to her not-so-mysterious change of heart, and told her it was because the music brought her joy. Nobody can be sad for long when they are playing joyful songs.
I hope she remembers. She doesn't have days like this often, but when she does we all brace ourselves for the hours of emotion. Maybe next time she'll remember to sit at the piano and play it out.
And, just for fun, here's a video of her playing Fur Elise. She's been working on it for a recital coming up in June. I recorded it with photobooth, and I have no idea how to flip the picture, so it's kind of weird watching it with her hands going the wrong way. I guess if it bothers you too much, you can always watch the video in a mirror.
Enjoy!
Chloe playing Fur Elise from Lara Neves on Vimeo.
It's amazing what music can do. Our house was pretty grouchy this morning, so we turned on some music. It didn't take long for us to perk up and get some things done.
ReplyDeleteCould you hear the applause? She was so cute! I used to do that with my cello after a bad day. I knew it made me feel better and if I was angry you could count on hearing some Shostakovic or Shubert or sometimes I would just saw at the strings and goof off. It always is a huge moral booster. I am glad your kids will be surrounded by music throughout their lives :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha, some reason I couldn't get the video to play on this computer (I'm on our old one, new one on the fritz).
ReplyDeleteMan, I'm glad I have a girl last... but that's not to say that my boys don't try me in many other ways...
She did a great job! I remember playing Fur Elise when I was her age.
ReplyDeleteGood for her---sounds like she's doing a great job. And yeah---kinda crazy to watch the backwards hands:)
ReplyDeleteI totally get the mood-changing results of piano/music.
Nice playing. :) Sorry she had a rough day. Not to rub it in, but you are gonna have your hands full in 5 years or so with all of those young ladies! :)
ReplyDeleteSorry, hubby forgot to sign out. The above comment was from me. :)
ReplyDeleteMusic ALWAYS soothes me. Without fail.
ReplyDeleteAnd I thank Heavenly Father every day, that I wasn't asked to raise girls. I just wouldn't be able to handle the drama : )
SOOOOO sweet!!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I swear my 7 year old has PMS. She bursts into tears over the most ridiculous things. What is up with that/
ReplyDeleteMy girl is only two, and she gets like this sometimes. I hoped she'd grow out of it, but seeing as how I still have these kinds of days, I'm not counting on it...
ReplyDeleteWe crank up Disney tunes when we're feeling blue around our home.
YAAAYYYYYYY Chloe! I love Fur Elise, you play it so beautifully! I love it, and can't wait to hear it for myself in person! I love you Chloe!
ReplyDeleteMusic always puts me in a better mood. And oh, how I can relate to the tightly strung emotions of a daughter! Heaven help me as she gets older!
ReplyDeleteVery cool. I'll have to show Zoie this video. Sometimes she doesn't like piano, but I think she's pretty good and it'll be so great for her to be able to play something like that one day. :)
ReplyDeletePS-will you email me your address?
First of all, I think your Chloe and my Ashlynn would be fabulous friends, because I found myself nodding all through your descriptions. Well, theyw ould be friends at least until they fought, and then both of them would come home and flop on respective couches and sob that no one loves them!
ReplyDeleteAnd you would think I would remember more about the power of music! I need to work on that.
My girls have days like that... I don't know what to do for them either. just hug them and love them. I love how music can lift my spirits -- EVERY time. If I'm not feeling better, I haven't listened to the right music yet. It is so true. Well said. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteMy dad told me that when I was still at home he could always tell what kind of mood I was in by what I was playing on the piano. I had one piece that was a very forceful and loud and dramatic piece and would start with that when I was in a "mood" and eventually I would end up with some beautiful church music.
ReplyDeleteMusic is a blessing.
Wow, Für Elise at 7! That is impressive. And she is just adorable!
ReplyDeleteI loved the image of her trying to force herself back into a frown when the music started to make her feel better. I still do that! Sometimes you just want to stay in your bad mood...maybe that makes all that favorite music mean even more.
Poor thing! Girls can be very interesting to parent, can't they? I just LOVE that music made her happy again!
ReplyDeleteI laugh,though I know nothing about raising a little girl, but because I remember being a little girl. Dramatics at their finest.
ReplyDeleteshe sounds amazing!!! yay Chloe!
She's awesome.
ReplyDeleteMusic is definately Magical isn't it? I know it cheers me up tremendously when I am down or troubled. Awesome job Chloe! One of my most favorite songs on the Piano. I still have most of it memorized from when I played it for my recital at age 9.
ReplyDeleteOh the power of music - she did a great job. I love how playing the piano was able to turn her day around, too. (and I have to add that I love your take on PMS)
ReplyDeleteI love that you are teaching your girls the power of music by intentionally pointing out what good music can do for our souls. I need to do that more often - both the pointing out and the allowing myself to become immersed in music when I am feeling on edge. I'm fearful that I am neglecting my talent. . .
ReplyDeleteChloe sounds awesome on Fur Elise - but yes, it is a little creepy to watch her hands going the wrong way, lol!
KJ has come home from school feeling like that. It breaks my heart.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that playing the piano and music has such a positive effect on Chloe.
What a great story!