Because my friend, Judith Gropp, grew up as a New Yorker, she reads the New York Times daily, including the invitation for readers to contribute 200 word, personal stories of life in New York. Judith submitted a piece every day for over five months! Finally, the NYT replied with a big YES! Here is her story, published April 9, 2024:
My friend’s boyfriend was an aspiring classical pianist. One of my favorite activities was to lie underneath the grand piano with a small pillow for my head. The vibrations from the piano hammers awakened my entire being as his hands caressed the keyboard. The acoustics invited pure bliss and a place of refuge. I enjoyed observing his feet alternating between the pedals in his custom Italian shoes.
I fantasize returning to the carpet under the Steinway in his upper West Side apartment for the informal rehearsals. Mathew often practiced for hours and would inquire: “Enough?” I always replied, “Never!”
Knowing Judith as I do, I can just see her doing this!
Yay, Judith! Published in the New York Times! What an accomplishment!
What a magical time. Music is the universal language of bliss. Take me away as we say
LOVE this little “slice of life”!!! My favorite music is piano . .. probably since I learned to play quite young . . . and Judith’s words absolutely evoke a marvelous sense of calm and pure pleasure!
Oh, how beautiful – a hidden pillowed cave under a Steinway, carried off to the clouds by magical Italian shoes! You described the moment so well that I felt like I had crawled in with you!