My biggest inspiration

I love my Nonno (Nonno means grandfather for those who don't know) with all my heart. However, I've always had a terrible time understanding him because his English is pretty rough. Having a conversation is near impossible for us because we literally have no idea what we are trying to say to each other. We sort of just smile, nod and play some cards or watch the Price is Right or something. 

Yet even though we have this barrier in our relationship, he manages to be my biggest inspiration.

Let me explain why.

Thanksgiving of 2013, my Nonno (as always) had to hear me play piano. Now usually I just declined his request because for unknown reasons, I get incredibly nervous singing in front of my family. Except this time I decided to take my place at the piano bench, my Nonno at my side. The room fell silent as I began to sing, and honestly I have never felt so much of my heart being put into a song. Sure I’ve performed in front of crowds before, but nothing was as special as this moment.  

Part way through the song, my uncle’s yappy dog began to bark and my family began to yell back at the unfortunate looking thing (it really is an ugly dog…). Yet my Nonno remained quiet. He just put his hand on my shoulder and asked me to keep playing. Without looking, up I did what I was told and continued from where I left off, the silence resettled.

When I played the final note, I let it ring before I took my eyes of the keys.

As I looked up, I felt my heart drop when I noticed my Nonno was in tears.

‘Bella, Bella,’ was all he could manage to say.

Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around him and stifled a nervous laugh. Yet as I looked over his shoulder I noticed that my Aunt Mimi began to cry as well (she had moved to Canada from Ethiopia and like my Nonno, I have a difficult time understanding her because of her accent).

I couldn't help but cry.

This is probably one of the most amazing moments I have ever experienced in my life. In that moment, I have never felt more connected to my Nonno than I did that day.

Music is a universal language that connects us. For me, it explains things that cannot simply be put into words. Until that moment, I never truly understood what it was like to feel the music for more than what’s written on the page. A million people could teach me how to read and play music, but my Nonno is the only one who could teach me how to feel music.

And that’s why he is my biggest inspiration. 

The video I have attached is the song I sang for my Nonno. It's my own cover of 'Skinny Love' by Bon Iver.