Mermaids, Music and Me

My mother tells everyone she’s older than dirt.  Can you imagine how old I must have felt when I received a FB message one day from a former student wondering if I would teach her four year old daughter?

Since I still have my Barbie’s, love to play dress-up and can still fit into some of my favorite outfits from high school, I somehow forgot that as my student’s matured, I grew old…well, older.  And now a former student is all grown up with a daughter. I’m not sure if I was in shock that I had actually grown older since I’ve always had the Peter-Pan mindset and thankfully genes or I was shocked to learn my former student was a mother.

I’ve taught 2,000 kids, more or less, in my career and believe it or not, I haven’t forgotten any of my students.  They have all touched my heart one way or another.  I know I shouldn’t admit this, but Laura was a favorite of mine. 

You know the rule:  teachers must never have favorites, but some kids just get under your skin.  She was intelligent, sweet, and had a smile that could light up a room with rays of sunshine.

Even her dog, Lucy, was fabulous.  Lucy was a miniature collie with a white bunny tail.  Talk about cute.

Anyway, the day I received Laura’s FB message, tears formed in my eyes.   I was so touched that she remembered me after all these years.  That somehow I made a difference in her life. 

I had always hoped to be someone’s Mrs. O’Brien, my fifth grade teacher, who made a defining difference in my life.  She changed me profoundly and I have always hoped to do the same for my students.

Laura and I spoke and selected a time for me to teach Samantha.  The four year old was waiting for me at the front door, peeking out the window.  

I saw the most beautiful fairy princess ever.  I think if Disney needs a young starlet to portray a little girl-turned princess-Samantha would be given a contract for life.

The door opened and Laura was standing next to Samantha.  Laura’s brilliant smile radiated, almost blinding me. The years hadn’t changed her.  Still beautiful, sweet and her mini-me was glowing with happiness. 

Samantha Princess Pianist

She twirled in her turquoise sparkly princess dress and walked across the floor on her tippy toes, like a ballerina, minus toe shoes, and I ooh-and ahhh-ed over her dress, her loveliness…her everything.

I was filled with so much love, the tears barely remained in my eyes.  I was so touched to be reunited with Laura and now to have the honor of teaching her daughter~truly a princess.

Every week Samantha still waits for me at the front door, peeking through the window, wearing a different outfit. I never know if she will be a roaring twenties flapper, mermaid, or lollipop.

Flapper Pianist

Mermaid and Music

Lollipop Musician

Like mother, like daughter: Laura and Samantha ~  Heidi Goldman's students

The one thing I do know is that child has made a profound difference in my life and I hope to do the same for her.  Time will tell.

Heidi Goldman with Samantha

So, if I get a FB message from Samantha in years to come asking if I’m still teaching piano and would I consider teaching her daughter…I will take out my Barbie’s, put on a flapper dress and dash over to see a third generation of fabulous girls.