By Mindy Cabral, The Magazine of Santa Clarita, September 2012
We all have a special place in our hearts for our mothers. Moms do it all, and with all the care and love they have to offer. My Mom told me stories of how it was for her growing up on a farm and she especially liked to tell stories of tormenting her siblings. Throwing junebugs at her sister, rigging the light to electrocute her brother… She picked that up from her Dad.
I remember her telling me stories about the piano they had at their house, the same piano that my sisters, brother, and I eventually learned to play on too. Her favorite song was Camptown Races because she could play it the fastest, and would over and over again just because she could.
My mom played the piano and the E-flat clarinet. In high school she was in band, varsity cheerleading, sewed her own clothes, and kept her grades up. She was an artist whose talents shined in every project and was shared through out her life as a teacher, mother, friend, and wife. Most importantly, she gave to her friends, family, and the community by volunteering, helping, supporting, believing, and doing what needed to be done to make people happy and successful.
For 11 years she volunteered in my high school band office, and for 7 years she helped at Little School of Music (not to mention the years of driving and participating in four of her own kids schools and multiple activities). Good thing my brother got his license, even though he drove the car the same way my Mom played piano as a kid!
On July 22, 2012, “Ms. Bonnie” lost her 19-month battle with Multiple Myeloma, bone marrow cancer. In addition to family and friends, most of the people who reached out were those connected to her through music in some way; past high school band members, parents and music directors, private music teachers, and Little School of Music families and teachers attended her service, sent cards and flowers, and donated to her favorite organizations. It was very touching and my family is very grateful. Music is an important part of life, relationships, and over time brings people together in a way that cannot be explained. I shared so many wonderful memories with my mom and most of them are because of music. Music is powerful, it’s personal, and my hope is for people to have the opportunity to share and experience it for themselves.
Fall Registration is open NOW! Little School of Music is located at 28306 Constellation Rd, Valencia, CA 91355. For more information, visit us online at: LittleSchoolofMusic.com, or call: 661-222-2239
© copyright 2012