I write stuff. I’m a professor- that’s what I do. I’m going to write some stories of my Mom to try to help me grieve her death. I have no idea what this will be in the end, or how long it will last. It is what I need to do for now.

In the document read at my mom’s memorial service, we (her children) commented that even though Mom had a tough exterior, she was a softie. I realized that many people might not know the stories that made up her softer side- and I want people to know. I also want to make sure I remember as much as I can. For starters, I thought I would write a very important story in my life.

In my Intro to Music Therapy classes, I often ask my students to try to recall their first (or an early) musical memory. Mine is very easy to recall. As a child, I had terrible eczema. My mom had a huge tub of cream for my skin. Being the ever-present music teacher, she turned the tub into a drum and sang the song “Laura’s name says tip-toe, tip-toe, tip-toe. Laura’s name says tip-toe, tip toe along.” I would tip-toe around and beat the top of the tub. She changed up the movements- walking, skipping, jumping- you get the idea.

My childhood was jam packed with these musical moments. I am heart broken by Mom’s death, but one way I help carry on her spirit is to raise my daughter in much the same way that I was raised. Morgan’s life is filled with musical moments, and I know that Mom is singing right along with us.