Rosie and the Irish Whistle
Whistle rendition of Winter Sky by Rune Barslund and thoughts on beauty growing slowly
Rosie began playing the Irish whistle when she was 4. This was during a time when Randy was immersing himself in Irish music. He had us all listening to it day and night, (because we live here and it was on constantly!) and we took in the melodies (some traditional, some contemporary) as we were living our lives. They have become a part of us.
Rosie loved playing the whistle. She carried it around with her everywhere, and especially loved to play it in the car, unaware that she was playing along with music that was not in the same key as her whistle. There were so many times I had to bite my tongue because it was excruciating.
And then one day, it became beautiful. It startled me. And it still surprises me and makes me stop and notice and take a deep breath of gratitude.
This is the way beauty is cultivated. Little by little, one day at a time, one practice and then another. I want to share this video of Rosie playing whistle outside on a beautiful autumn afternoon. I walked out onto the back deck and heard her, and it was one of those poetic moments where I see the fruit of giving our children time to pursue the things they love. This song is called Winter Sky by Rune Barslund, and it has been a favorite of Rosie’s since she was 6 years old. Sending it out as a reminder that beauty grows slowly. But it is always growing. And one day it will bloom.
Love,
Mackenzie and family