Rise Up
January 23, 2023
Author: Morgan Millstein
Editor: Chava Makman
Summer is expected to be a time of scorching hot sunshine, impulsive adventures with friends, and relaxation with family. To put it shortly, my summer this year did not exactly follow those expectations, and was interrupted by something that harmed my mental health. What got me through this mentally challenging summer was my supportive family, my friends, and the most surprising gift of all: the piano.
When I was 13 years old, I told my Nana that I was ready to quit playing the piano, a hobby I had been dedicating myself to for years. The reason why I remember this moment so vividly was in large part because of her answer. She took a deep breath, looked at me, and said: “you are really going to regret this, Morgan.”
I did not listen to my Nana; I quit the piano and thought I’d never look back. It wasn’t until seven years later, the summer of 2022, that my mom uttered six words that my 13-year-old self would have never agreed to: “you should start the piano again!” As soon as the words left her mouth, I instantly knew my response. In the next months, the simple black and white keys of my grandparents’ piano became my safe haven. While playing the instrument, I felt connected to my adorable Nana, focused on something new(ish), and found what I was looking for the most—an escape from my anxious mind.
From the moment I agreed, things began moving quickly. My Nana and I reached out to the local music company to find a teacher. We were matched with a young woman from the city and, coincidentally, it was the same teacher I had when I was younger. Seeing her was a textbook full-circle moment: it made me reflect on how much I had grown since we last worked together and how much was different now.
Every Sunday at 5pm, the two of us met with our teacher, Kathryn, who brightened our days with her beautiful singing and patience for our not-so-fabulous piano playing. Despite our questionable skills and complete lack of rhythm, it was empowering and sentimental to learn a song on the piano with my beautiful Nana. It was my favorite part of the week; not only the lesson, but watching how happy my kind-hearted Nana was by the end of each and every session: it was magic. Having something for just the two of us that no one else could touch was the escape I didn’t know I needed. Not only did I benefit from the satisfaction of learning a new skill, but playing the piano gave me a sense of serenity, peace, and purpose.
When it was time to pick which song we wanted to learn, my Nana recommended “Rise Up” by Andra Day. The lyrics go:
“And I’ll rise up
I’ll rise like the day
I’ll rise up
I’ll rise unafraid
I’ll rise up
And I’ll do it a thousand times again”
During every single piano lesson, this song was a reminder for me to rise up amongst all of the inner struggles I was battling. I am proud to say that I have risen up, and I’ll do it a thousand times again :)
Image: Morgan Millstein
