Everyone knows how Sophie and I struggle with piano since she was 3 1/2 years old. We started with Yamaha music programme even earlier and Kindermusic when she was a toddler. We tried for years but she just couldn't, wouldn't progress. It's especially painful when I see how other kids learn their instrument slowly but steadily and there are so many adults we know who can play their instrument well. Yet nobody can help Sophie. Unlike CK, I wanted to give up on her too many times. He said to me that those kids out there who can't play the piano, they probably tried and gave up. Those who are playing piano are those who persisted… whose parents haven't given up. Then he quoted me as an example. He said I didn't even try learning piano or any instrument because my dad didn't believe… no, because he believed I would give up halfway. Ck doesn't want Sophie or Alfee to live with the same kind of regret that I have. I almost cried.
Thus, I started asking around for recommendations for a piano teacher again. This time, I asked the mummy chat group from Sophie's school. These are some PRC mummies from the Parent Support Group. I was apprehensive at first because we hardly have much in common and I'm so insanely uncomfortable socialising with people. But my neighbour asked me to join so I did out of courtesy. Only one person responded but she was helpful. I couldn't use her advice much but I guess I still appreciate her effort in advising.
I was about to let the matter pass and move on in my search for a piano teacher. Then my neighbour called me. She started telling me about her son's piano teacher and that she had asked her to teach Sophie on my behalf. I was so grateful and touched by her gesture. And we barely know each other. If this arrangement works out, I'll be forever grateful. I am impressed that she thinks so little of our usual Singaporean kind of competitiveness. She doesn't keep her information a secret to have a competitive edge over us. In fact, their family neither hide the boy's talent from us nor boast about it. He's a year younger than Sophie but he's as good as Grade 5 in piano. She even told me to let the kids learn together and keep each other motivated. In a way, she showed me that the true spirit of "winning" is to compete based on one's real ability and how you strive with any given condition. Of course Sophie isn't much of a competitor either.
This incident taught me that if I need a hand, I must extend my arm towards other so that it's easier for others to reach out to me. And I'm right to do what I do and offer others help and impart my skills to others for free. Although there are many who has since surpassed me in skills and knowledge, I am glad I have been part of their process and I'm given motivation to keep improving myself.
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