The Friday Morning Listen: Yo-Yo Ma - Bach: The Cello Suites Inspired by Bach

Oh... my... gawd. I just looked up at the clock and realized that it was 11:26AM. Even more important, 11:26AM on a Friday. Yikes. The whirlwind of Thanksgiving preparations and celebrations has made me completely forget the day.

So... Thanksgiving. Every year the Hallmark-style twist on the emotions begins — that no matter how bad things might seem, there are always people whose situations are far worse. This is true. Compared to U.S. citizens who have lost their jobs and/or homes, I should have no complaints. And contrast even their predicaments with the horror of Darfur? No contest.

I don't even know how I feel about my situation. "Odd" might be the word. No... "disoriented." Yes, that's it.

It has been a very testing year for me and TheWife™. In a time span of less than six months, our extended family has been transformed into a pair. Make that a trio: me, TheWife™, and Rafiki the GreatestCockerSpanielInTheWorld™. After the passing of my mother, we had a relatively uneventful summer, with me working at home part time to spend some more time with my dad. A few months ago, dad came down with a case of pneumonia and had to be hospitalized. During his rehab stint at a nearby nursing facility, he decided that he wanted to stay there. I guess the idea of spending any time alone at home in this big, rambling house was just too daunting. Truth be told, I was scared of that idea as well.

Dad's decision has, I suppose, brought a measure of relief all around, but it has left us with a certain feeling of disorientation. I have spent the better part of the last couple of days completely reorganizing the first floor. Dad's bedroom is now the guest bedroom. His living room is now the formal dining room (with piano), and the living room is now an actual living room for the first time since we moved here over four years ago.

After visiting Dad yesterday while he had his Thanksgiving dinner (he can't as yet visit here due to stupid insurance regulations), we came home to start cooking for the kids who would show up later in the evening. The dinner was great, and I have to admit that one transition that's fine by me is that now the kids have to clean up after dinner. Freaking awesome!

We had a nice breakfast with everybody this morning, with Yo-Yo Ma providing the nerve-calming soundtrack. It's the day after Thanksgiving, and things still feel kinda strange... we'll just have to see what time does with the situation.

Article Author: Mark Saleski

Mark Saleski is a writer and music obsessive based out of the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. He has contributed to Jazz.com and also writes reviews for Blogcritics.org. He produces the weekly feature The Friday Morning Listen. …

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