The Piano

The psychologist who has helped us all with such skill and loving compassion has an office right in the heart of  Strathcona in Vancouver.  Strathcona is an area of dense population and is home to a very wide range of people.  I love the area and I once worked in a community mental health office just up the street.   I left a part of me there with the interesting and varied people I knew those many years ago.  It seems so fitting  that my psychology office is back in this place of community and home for me. It is in a very old heritage building and like the people walking by, it is full of character and heart.  There is no waiting room, so the patients wait in an atmospheric funky coffee shop next door.  At the appointed time I go and stand at her door.  It has become a part of the whole process to make the long pilgrimage to Vancouver and then to wait patiently at her door on the busy street.  I watch all the people walk by and wonder about their lives.  There is a huge mural of a crow pecking away at an apple across the way.   Mr. Crow somehow seems appropriate and encourages me along as I peck at the apples in my life!  There is quite a turnover in the other offices nearby, but lately there is a new gluten free bakery next door.  I love the smells of fresh bread mingling with the bus exhaust and sea air.  The psychologist greets me at the door and I always look to acknowledge the surprising and delightful juxtaposition of a brightly painted and decrepit upright piano tucked up against the bare stairway.  The piano is full of meaningful character and appears like a three dimensional collage.  I am always hopeful that one day it will be pulled out into the stark utilitarian entrance hall that is littered with junk mail.  Though aged and obviously not in playing condition, I like the piano.  Evidently the landlord does too as it has been in its rather sad corner for all the six years that we have been coming and going.  I appreciate its beauty and the reminder of music that could possibly echo up the stairs and flow out to the confusion and chaos of the street outside.  I am waiting hopefully for someone to help bring it to joyful life again.  Early in my own healing process one of my dear friends gave us her piano.  The rich and full sound of that piano in our living room has been such a deep encouragement to me.  It has replaced a keyboard and it is not only a reminder of the joy in receiving such an amazing gift, but of the hope of fullness of rich life that is here for us all to enjoy.
With those heart thoughts and visual reminders in my soul, I start up the steep stairs to the small yellow monk's cell room that has been so meaningful to me in the decluttering and reorganization of my heart, soul and body.  The window is open and I hear the gulls cawing over the noises of the street.  I smile to think of that wonderful piano downstairs, encouraging me on in the process of healing and restoration to both give and receive life's music.