When I was a little girl, I would sit at the player pianos in my grandparents’ houses (yes, both sets of my grandparents had player pianos, and they also lived across the street from each other) and play and play even though I had no idea how to read music and most certainly could not play by ear. (Long sentence alert!) My legs swung back and forth while I played, and I even added in some spins on the twisty wooden stool my Grandma Barb had.

Fast forward several decades later, and I am proud to share that I have legit had a piano book published. For real. I think I have downplayed (ha!) this accomplishment some, but I am here to name that I am truly quite proud. My friend and high school classmate, Debbie (Brown) Wolfe, arranged the pieces. She managed to do this with only pictures of chicken scratch lyrics on notepads along with several video snippets of me plunking out melodies; she magically turned them in to beautiful arrangements. They have ritardandos and key changes and everything.

I keep meaning to make time to write a description for each song, but for now I will at least share the songbook itself, and encouragement is to think about:

What are some of your “twisty wooden stool spin” stories?
What is something you are proud of and don’t always think to share? (This can be anything, from a watercolor painting in your sketchbook to an encouraging interaction you had with a co-worker.)
How are you finding passion and hope in your life these days?
How are you intentionally seeking spaces to reach out and connect in positive ways with others?

Note: I ask these questions for you, but I also ask them for me. Adulthood can feel like a slog at times—at least in my experience—and these days I really have to seek out intentional ways to positively connect with and encourage others, and to stay encouraged. Here’s to remembering that Love wins. Always.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. —Hebrews 10:24