The bride was beautiful, the groom amiable and attentive. She witnessed the solemn ceremony from a piano bench where she had just played a passel of tunes – some popular, some classic. There were tender moments to bring tears and proud moments for sitting up straighter. There was humor and understanding to bring smiles and laughter. And then, there was a reception. A reception with food and fun and cake and dancing and a live band. This time, she sat on a portable bench at an electronic 88-keys, properly positioned to the left and behind the lead guitarist and two vocalists and within eye-contact and the reach of the drummer and bassist – all seven on a postage stamp the size of an area rug.

The bride was beautiful, surrounded by life-long friends and family and having the time of her life. The groom was gregarious and hospitable. And the band? The band was the best she had ever played with. There were times over the past three weeks of preparation when she felt out of her league. But when the drummer gave the count off and the guests of every generation hit the dance floor, cares of life and inhibition left the courtyard. Life was bliss. Even the servers kept smiling. The venue owner and caterer paused in their hurry to film the band. Her heart was full, sitting there on the collapsible bench. And when it was all over and load-out begun, someone pointed out the band included three generations of the same family. True that! She was indeed a grande dame. Her son the drummer / band leader. Her grandson on synthesizer. Don’t quit on your music! You need it every day of your life.