Someone criticized a wise mother for telling her son who was learning to drive, “Watch out for pianos falling from the sky!” She was right. Pianos do fall from the sky.
Recently, I took driving lessons. One criticism leveled against me by the instructor was erring on the side of caution: expecting pedestrians to step off the sidewalk in front of me, dogs on a leash to rush into the street, or vehicles to appear unexpectedly when I stopped at a “Give Way” sign. (No simple “Stop” signs at intersections in this part of Scotland.) The instructor didn’t understand. I’ve had my share of falling pianos.
When a doctor tells you, “Your spouse has cancer. It’s terminal,” that’s a piano falling out of the sky. When your boss says, “You’re laid off,” that’s a piano falling from the sky. When an editor tells you, “I like your writing style, but your books aren’t selling, so I’m releasing you from your contract, it’s a falling piano. When you get word that your son died in a plane crash – that’s a huge piano that keeps crashing down from the sky.
Perhaps a good New Year’s Resolution would be: Learn to Expect Falling Pianos. And when one of them falls into your life, comfort yourself with Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord.”
We dodged a falling piano today. We took our six-year-old rough collie to the vet to talk about letting her go. It was heartbreaking. But as if Angel Joy understood our conversation, she rallied herself against the nerve disorder that is stealing her life and health and showed enough spark that the vet said, “It might be a bit premature to make that decision today.” Whew! The piano fell out of the sky without hitting anyone!
May all of y’all be blessed in 2017. May any piano from the sky that falls into your life this year make a harmless landing.
http://www.amazon.com/Stephanie-Parker-McKean/e/B00BOX90OO/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Stephanie Parker McKean 
Oh Stephanie, you have indeed had your share of falling pianos. I can confess to having hit by a few too. I’m so glad you managed to avoid the one that was threatening to snuff Angel Joy’s life out. I live in constant anticipation. I’ve always called it my ‘what-if’ syndrome, but I like your analogy of falling pianos more!
Reblogged this on Val Poore and commented:
We all have to dodge a falling piano now and then. But isn’t it better to be prepared? Stephanie Parker McKean says it as only she can!
Thanks for reblogging this, Val, and your comment. Hope 2017 will be without falling pianos for both of us! We are thrilled and thankful to get to keep Angel Joy…even if but for a few more days or weeks. Actually, she’s a bit better since the vet visit. I don’t know if it was hearing us talk about the “Big Decision” and understanding what it meant, or the vet pushing and prodding on her spine…or just an answer to all the prayers going up for her. We are just thankful and grateful. Enjoy your day & your Watery Ways. Can’t wait to read the next book written by the woman who makes even plumbing interesting! And amusing!
Beautiful post – so glad to hear the piano missed your lovely doggy.
Thanks, Samantha. We prayed for her really hard last night & she’s been a bit better today. Even took three walks and the third one not quite as short as usual. Hope a falling piano never gets anywhere close to your lovely & personable Wee White Dug.
So glad your pup rallied! Love the photo of her in the snow.
Thanks! So are we. She still has enough spark in her to keep going for a while.