Most recently Taraz and I completed a photoshop project that we started a few weeks ago.  Since he has been on holiday, he has been teaching me how to use photoshop by adding beautiful quotations to photos that I have taken of flowers from different trips we have been on.  We chose 10 quotations from the first Ruhi series book called ‘Igniting the Heart‘.   We designed them in English and Chinese and decided to get them printed in sets of 10.  Here are a few of my favorites:

One of the pacts I made in raising my children was never to pressure them to pursue music.  Of course the reason for this is because I wanted them to develop the love of music of their own accord.  For the most part, I have managed to keep my pact and I’m ecstatic that both of my children love music.  Taraz, my son, used to play classical piano and a few years ago he suddenly decided that he wasn’t interested in playing any longer.  Initially I panicked not knowing what to do as I remembered my promise…  After some reflection, I decided it would be best to give him a choice. I told him that since he no longer enjoyed classical piano, he could choose whatever other style of music he wanted to learn instead.  Some may say that was pressuring him but I knew that he would regret not continuing with music someday if he stopped.  And I also knew that he loved music and jazz!  I was very relieved that he chose to start jazz piano lessons.  Then, a couple of years ago Taraz surprised us by asking if he could start playing the saxophone in addition to the piano.  Most parents would have been pleased by his enthusiasm but I was afraid he would be burdened by too many hours of practice only to realize that the sax was not his thing.  After a couple of months of Taraz insisting, we gave our blessings on the condition that he stuck with it for at least a few months.

I am so proud of Taraz’ persistence and perseverance even though at times it has not been easy learning 2 instruments.  It has been a lovely gift to see him enjoying these instruments and thriving in learning them!  A couple of weeks ago, Taraz started learning to play songs by Coldplay and other artists on the piano and exploring his voice too.   And last week he played the song, Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart will go on’ on his sax as part of a concert.  It was so lovely to be in the audience and help him with mic checks and all the preparations.  I was a very proud mum that night watching him playing his sax so confidently on stage.

In addition to his musical talent, I love Taraz’ qualities of compassion and thoughtfulness and always looking out for his mum! Love you T!

Taraz playing his sax in concert recently

Taraz playing jazz piano with Uncle Farzam

Taraz and me on a special trip

Taraz playing his sax at his elementary school graduation

Playing piano at a jam session

Dear friends of mine recently adopted a baby boy.  Hearing them express their feelings of joy and elation has made me so excited for them but also so appreciative that I am a mother of two wonderful children.

Parenting a child is unlike any experience I have ever encountered in my life.  I remember so vividly the day they were both born and the emotions and love that stirred in the delivery room.  I was so elated with the miracle of life that I could hardly contain myself.  I remember gazing at my son and daughter and couldn’t quite believe that they were actually right there in my arms, to hold, to love and to care for.  The love is truly indescribable.

As they grow and mature and go through challenges through different stages of their lives, sometimes we forget how precious they are.  As a society we tend to brush them aside rather than embrace their needs.  We sometimes forget to allow them to express themselves in their unique way.  They deserve respect and our time to allow them to blossom under our care, guidance and protection.  There have been times when I was running out the door in a hurry and one of my children wanted to show me something or explain something in detail and I didn’t give them the time they needed or acknowledge them the way they wanted…. I’m sure we’ve all had those moments but what a lovely reminder I’ve been given in the past few days from my friends to cherish every moment and not take for granted the gift we have been given – to nurture our children at all times.

I read this passage from time to time by George Townshend and it always moves me:

“While they are at your side, love these little ones to the uttermost.  Forget yourself.  Serve them; care for them; lavish all your tenderness on them.  Value your good fortune while it is with you, and let nothing of the sweetness of their babyhood go unprized.  Not for long will you keep the happiness that now lies within your reach.  You will not always walk in the sunshine with a little warm, soft hand nestling in each of yours, nor hear little feet pattering beside you, and eager baby voices questioning and prattling of a thousand things with ceaseless excitement.  Not always will you see that trusting face upturned to yours, feel those little arms about your neck, and those tender lips pressed upon your cheek, nor will you have that tiny form to kneel beside you, and murmur baby prayers into your ear.  Love them and win their love, and shower on them all the treasures of your heart.  Fill up their days with happiness, and share with them their mirth and innocent delights.  Childhood is but for a day.  Ere you are aware it will be gone with all its gifts forever.”

Here are some photos of our children and the family!

My mother-in-law’s funeral was held today.  Unfortunately I wasn’t able to be there… In her honor we planted a Magnolia tree in our little garden and each member of our family wrote a special message on a card dedicated to her.  We laminated the cards, hung them on her tree and read our messages to her and said a few prayers for her soul.

Ironically, a month ago our pomegranate tree died because of the very cold winter this year so in it’s place we planted the Magnolia tree for Mom (each of the trees in our garden belong to a member of the family and the pomegranate tree was hers when she was alive).

Everyday, as I water our garden, I look at her beautiful tree and am reminded of her lovely soul and the gift she gave me – her son.

On the day of her passing, I composed an instrumental in her honor.  You can listen to it here.  We will be going back to her home town this summer to visit the family.  She will definitely be missed.

Lately I’ve been feeling very inspired to create and write new music.  Perhaps it’s because I’ve been in a much more contemplative mood since the passing of my mother-in-law thinking about her life and her soul.  In the last week, every time I sat at the piano I felt like a fountain overflowing.  It’s a lovely sensation trying to capture whatever flows out so I’ve had several sessions of just allowing myself to create freely.  A few days ago, I decided to record an impromptu piece and have included the spontaneous recording below.  Please note that it’s rough as it was the first time I played what you hear for the recording.  Creating spontaneously definitely requires letting go completely of any thoughts or attachments or even wanting it to sound good (it also takes courage to share it on the blog as it’s very rough).  It is a process of just allowing my fingers to play whatever my heart leads me to.  I’m trying to think of a name for the piece and would love to hear what thoughts or feelings it evokes in you and any titles you can think of.

I’m currently working on an instrumental CD and haven’t decided whether or not I should develop this piece and add it as one of the tracks.  So far I’ve recorded 6 tracks of different piano instrumentals and hope to record and finish the rest by the end of this year.  I will definitely keep you updated.

Here is the piece I recorded.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts, suggestions or titles. Thanks for listening. :)

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Ann Byington Mahony, my dear mother-in-law, passed away early this morning very peacefully.  She truly was a remarkable woman – one of strength, confidence, independence, honesty, charm and elegance.  I admire her sense of adventure and her love of life as she would travel the world fascinated by other cultures, their history, people and architecture.  I remember when we traveled together, she was always interested in other people, who they were, where they were from and invariably would strike up a conversation with them so naturally and effortlessly.  I loved her sense of style and how she always looked so elegant and how immaculate and orderly she kept her home.  I always left our summer visits to her home feeling inspired and thinking of ways of improving myself and beautifying our home.

My first memory of Ann was when she came to visit Tarry and I at university (a few months before we were married).  I remember giving her a big hug and how she made me feel so comfortable around her. As I pondered her life today, I wondered what I could offer her to thank her for welcoming me with open arms into her family and treating me like a true daughter.  As I sat at the piano and felt her presence, I felt inspired to compose an instrumental piano piece in her honor.  The notes flowed so naturally and within a few minutes the melody came alive.  I decided to make a spontaneous recording of it.  I have titled it ‘Final Journey’ and wanted to share it with you here.

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We have planted a tree in our garden in honor of Ann and have made hand written cards that we will place on the tree. I will miss Mom (as I always used to call her) but I know she will be looking out for us and taking care of us from a higher realm.  Mom – you will remain in our thoughts and prayers.