"Waterfall"

Wow, it's been a while. School has really been taking it out of me! I haven't written in either of my journals for about a month probably. Don't worry. I'm back... at least for now!

So, I told Mum this story and she suggested I put it on here. So, yeah...

A couple of weeks ago I was sitting in the library studying my brain dry. Finally I decided that I was tired of alternating my stare between my books and the computer screen. I was hungry - it was about 7 and I had been there since right after Devotional, which got out a little before 3 - and my eyes were drying out. I closed my book, grabbed my wallet out of my backpack and left my studying supplies behind me as I took long, striding steps out of the library. Books, I love you, but there comes a time when I simply must do something.

I went to the Manwaring Center and stood at the counter of JoLynn's to get a bagel. I took it upstairs and ate it in the lounging areas of the MC. I stared at the pianos, wanting to play, but knowing that once I did, studying was pretty much done for the night. Eventually I decided that I had studied enough, and it was time to play. I walked over to the closest piano, passing a friend of mine from Russian. We said hi and had our pleasantries, and I left him to his studying. I sat down at the piano, stretched my fingers, and started to play "Jessica's Theme" from The Man from Snowy River. It was a good warm up, and after a couple of other songs I started the light tinkling beginning of "Waterfall" by John Schmidt. The song is very intense, and is a favorite among Latter-Day Saints. I usually save it for last 'cause it hurts my forearms.

As I came to the climax, a man walked up stairs and came to stand over by the piano, a little off to the side. I saw him, but he wasn't so close that he was distracting - that's just annoying. I hit the impressive G Major and lay my hands to rest. The man walked over and greeted me.

"Very good!"
"Thank you," I replied a little embarrassed.
"You know, that was my daughter's theme song. We could all tell when she was trying to release a little frustration because the house would shake with her playing. She's in college now. I was just walking out when I heard this song playing and had to come up and meet the pianist. I'm Elder Hammond of the Seventy." He offered his hand.
"Oh! I'm Mallory," I said, taking it. "Thank you very much. It's always nice to know someone appreciates my playing." He thanked me again, and turned to leave. Another man, a student, had followed him up the stairs and was respectfully waiting his turn to thank me as well, but got slightly distracted for a few minutes by the surprise of the Seventy. He ran up to him and offered his name and hand. He then turned to me and thanked me.

It's a cute little story. So there you have it.