blessed by her gift

 the gift that flowed through her fingers

my wife loves the memory

of her cousin Lelia Ann

playing Christmas carols on the piano,

all the family gathered around,

a celebratory wholeness created

as Lelia Ann's fingers played over the keys

and worked a spell that held all together

for long shining moments

created by her love and virtuosity,

her church was also blessed for decades

as the music that powered the hymns

flowed from her,

through the organ,

into all the souls united there,

as an educator I have long believed

that everyone has a particular gift,

though not all of us have a gift

that can manifest so fully and well

as the music released into the world

through Lelia Ann's playing,

it can be hard for the rest of us

to feel that what can flow from us

is comparable in any way

to what we see and appreciate in the other,

other gifts may be subtler,

maybe a combination of traits,

but they still can express themselves

if the creator within can find the way out,

thank you, Lelia Ann,

for inspiring me and countless others 

with how well you shared your gifts.

by Henry H. Walker

September 16, ‘26