The Violinist

On Nov. 18, 1995, Itzhak Perlman, the violinist, came on stage to give a concert at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. If you have ever been to a Perlman concert, you know that getting on stage is no small achievement for him. He was stricken with polio as a child, and so he has braces on both legs and walks with the aid of two crutches. To see him walk across the stage one step at a time, painfully and slowly, is an awesome sight. He walks painfully, yet majestically, until he reaches his chair. Then he sits down, slowly, puts his crutches on the floor, undoes the clasps on his legs, tucks one foot back and extends the other foot forward. Then he bends down and picks up the violin, puts it under his chin, nods to the conductor and proceeds to play.

By now, the audience is used to this ritual. They sit quietly while he makes his way across the stage to his chair. They remain reverently silent while he undoes the clasps on his legs. They wait until he is ready to play. But this time, something went wrong. Just as he finished the first few bars, one of the strings on his violin broke. You could hear it snap -- it went off like gunfire across the room. There was no mistaking what that sound meant. There was no mistaking what he had to do.

People who were there that night thought to themselves: "We figured that he would have to get up, put on the clasps again, pick up the crutches and limp his way off stage to either find another violin or else find another string for this one."



But he didn't. Instead, he waited a moment, closed his eyes and then signaled the conductor to begin again. The orchestra began, and he played from where he had left off. And he played with such passion and such power and such purity, as they had never heard before. Of course, anyone knows that it is impossible to play a symphonic work with just three strings. I know that, and you know that, but that night Itzhak Perlman refused to know that. You could see him modulating, changing, re-composing the piece in his head. At one point, it sounded like he was de-tuning the strings to get new sounds from them that they had never made before.

When he finished, there was an awesome silence in the room. And then people rose and cheered. There was an extraordinary outburst of applause from every corner of the auditorium. We were all on our feet, screaming and cheering, doing everything we could to show how much we appreciated what he had done.



He smiled, wiped the sweat from this brow, raised his bow to quiet us, and then he said, not boastfully, but in a quiet, pensive, reverent tone, "You know, sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."

What a powerful line that is. It has stayed in my mind ever since I heard it. And who knows? Perhaps that is the definition of life... not just for artists but for all of us. Here is a man who has prepared all his life to make music on a violin of four strings, who, all of a sudden, in the middle of a concert, finds himself with only three strings; so he makes music with three strings, and the music he made that night with just three strings was more beautiful, more sacred, more memorable, than any that he had ever made before, when he had four strings.



So, perhaps our task in this shaky, fast-changing, bewildering world in which we live is to make music, at first with all that we have, and then, when that is no longer possible, to make music with what we have left.

Happy Birthday Haden

Happy Birthday Hado!!! Daddy and I are so proud of the wonderful young man that you are becoming!! You are so full of laughter and mischief. You are Haleigh's bubba, Mad's best friend, and the sweet protective big brother of Bowen. We are so very blessed to have you in our lives. Happy Birthday our sweet boy!

Daddy & Mama T

My Valentine

Jay,

I just wanted to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!!! You stole my heart on that first date and it's been yours ever since. You are an amazing husband, father and friend. I feel so blessed to have found you!! I love and respect who you are and what you stand for. Thank you for all that you do for me and the babies. I look forward to celebrating many more special days together!! xoxox

Love,
Your Tarrah Misu

Fun, Fish & Bubba Gumps

This past weekend we had made plans to go to Lego Land with all of the kids for Haden's birthday. Well with all the storms that blew in this weekend that plan didn't work out. We called Lego Land and they said if it started to rain at all they would shut down the rides. We decided it would be better to go at a later date, so that the kids would be able to enjoy the whole park. So in a scramble we decided to head to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, rain or shine that would still work. I knew that the kids would have fun, but was surprised at how interested they were. Especially Haleigh, she loved it. She is studying science right now so it was right up her alley. After the aquarium we ate at Bubba Gumps which was fun, and then headed home. It was a great weekend with the kidos. Enjoy the pics.

I'm In Love

Well we all know I'm in love, but I have a new love.:) My new Acer Aspire one tench inch laptop!! Jay and I have been sharing a laptop since mine crashed about six months ago. Which was fine, but when he traveled I wasn't able to blog or do all the other fun stuff I like to do. Well two weeks ago he had a trip come up right as we were leaving town for my parents. I was a little disappointed that he had to leave and that he wouldn't get to hang with my family...but it is what he does. Did I mention he's a smart man, because he is and he came home bearing gifts!! LOL I guess he had seen one and thought I would love it, and we wouldn't have to share anymore, oh and it's pink. I guess that sealed the deal.:) Thank you baby, I'm such a lucky gal!

Mercer Maniacs

It's been so long since I have posted. Life has been quite busy for us lately. The kids have been busy with school, Jay with work and me...well the usual wife, and mommy job keeping this ship afloat!! :) A couple of weeks ago Bowen went to visit my Dad and Mom for a few days so I took the opportunity to do something with the older kidos that might be a little more difficult with a two year old!! The kids have been wanting to go ice skating for a while so off we went. I have to say, I am pretty athletic and love just about every sport, but I hate being cold. So I opted to sit inside where it was warm and drink hot chocolate. I did occasionally go and cheer them on and give very enthusiastic thumbs up.
When the kids first got on the ice Haden and Haleigh did very well. Madison however.. was hysterical!! She had not been since she was three and obviously had no clue what she was doing. She ended up using a walker just to maintain her balance. I kept encouraging her to keep trying, and she did. Athleticism does not come naturally to Mad, but being strong and stubborn does. She continued to try and before long she was skating with her brother and sister, and doing very well. Haleigh and Haden were so sweet and encouraging, they would not leave her alone.
As parents it's often hard to watch your kids struggle or not be the best, or observe their disappointment in their performance. But being the best isn't as important as doing your best. I have four beautiful, intelligent, loving and funny kids. I am so very proud of them and will always be on the sideline cheering them on.