Monday, June 10, 2013

My Mom Plays the Drums!

My mom is amazing.  She's been a foundation in my life, someone who was there no matter what.  If I'm overly confident, it's because of her.  If I refuse to give up--it's because of her.  If I like my hair pulled back so tightly people think I've had a facelift . . . it's because of her.    She's one of the most resilient, awe-inspiring people you could meet.  Her spirit shines sweet and kind.  She seems quiet and meek, but don't let that fool ya, inside she rages with hilarity and every day that woman makes me laugh.  One time a guy teased her too much, when he turned, my mom threw a dishrag in his face.  It was epic, better than when Neil walked on the moon!
    Well, when my mom was two years old, her father died.  Then, when she was three, her mother left her along with three of her siblings.  Their aunt and uncle raised them.  Things were hard, but my mother never gave up.  She refused to let things pull her down into the mud of life.  She knew she was meant to be something great--a success.  
    During her sixth grade year, all of the students took a test to see who qualified for the percussion program.  My mom passed with unrivaled talent.  I've always imagined the test.  
    In my imagination, the teacher stood by a full drum set and asked, "What's rhythm?"
    Some sap raised his hand.  "Isn't that when you tap your foot to the music?"
    Another kid with preteen pimples probably whispered.  "Is it when you clap at church?"
    I bet that's when my modest, twelve-year-old mother rolled her eyes.  She maybe walked to the front of the class room and hollered, "Listen here, children.  You wanna know what rhythm is?  Get a load of this!"
    Then she sat at those drums, and she played the heck out of 'em!  Saints watched from Heaven.  Jesus smiled because some-a-day He knew that Italian sweetheart would live for Him.  All those kids cheered at the end, because it's not everyday you realize, you're going to school with a legend.  I bet that was her first standing ovation--I BET!    
    So, my mom emerged as a sixth grade icon.  She became so fantastic, she used her skill to win Miss C. E. U., and later Miss Carbon County.  Then shortly after that, she won my dad.
    Here's a picture so you know I'm not lying about her beauty.  (If you doubted me--shame on you!)


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    Later my dad swept her off those rhythmic feet, when he asked her to marry him.  They had three kids: a chemist, a mechanical engineer, and a blogger.
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    So, I'd like to show you a video of my mother playing the drums.  
    Sorry about the shaky camera, I started crying a bit during this because I kept thinking about how lucky I am to have such a great mother.  Then, my mom smiled at me and I got a case of the giggles.  Blame it on P. M. S..  Blame it on lack of sleep.  Heck, blame it on LOVE!
    Oh, and every time I say "awesome" in this video, please imagine a different (more creative) word in place of it.  Maybe epic, fantastic, joyous.  I'm not good at public speaking.
    Without further ado, here she is folks:  


41 comments:

  1. Wow! She could hold her own with any drummer. Makes me want to pick up some sticks and start drumming on my kitchen pans.

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  2. Your mother is truly talented, charming & beautiful--or, to sum it up in one word--WOW!! It's evident how very much you love her--& WHY!

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  3. What cracks me up the most is when she smiled at the camera--she wasn't even looking at the drums LOL! So hilarious :0) My mom is super fun :0)

    (The part I'm refering to is from 2:04 - 2:13.)

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  4. Wow. She is really good, and the fact that she wasn't even looking was SOOO impressive!

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  5. You had the word right the first time--AWESOME!
    Thanks for sharing your mom's talent and her smile with us.
    Just as you are so proud of her, she must be equally proud of you.
    Peace.

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  6. She is Amazing and so talented!! What a wonderful mom and role model you had growing up, and continue to have!! You look a lot like her!!

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  7. That is awesome!Your mom is really talented:)

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  8. That was really amazing. The entire blog. Thank you for sharing your story about your mother- she is clearly an amazing woman to raise someone as talented as you.

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  9. AH! Her beats were awesome, steady and her rolls were impeccable! Tell your mom she rocks! From one drummer to another ;)

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  10. This is such a wonderful entry! And yes, she is a beautiful person...inside and out.

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  11. How cool is that, your mom wins the cool mom of the year award. And of course she's beautiful, she's Italian...

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  12. Danny Carey eat your heart out!

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  13. I'm so proud of her, and yes it was a DIRTY washcloth lol. Over the years I've gotten even. =P

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  14. Also, just gave you the liebster award. Hope over to my blog for the deets!

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  15. Besides the fact that your mom is amazing and literally rocks, I loved her background story. What a life and what a wonderful woman to find such determination to make the most of it!
    "Jesus smiled because some-a-day He knew that Italian sweetheart would live for Him."
    This was such a sweet line, I loved it! Your mom is incredible and I'm so grateful that you shared her with us today!

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  16. your mom is ferociously talented, and gorgeous. i love the love in this piece for her, and your unbridled admiration of her. by the way, i probably would have been one of those boys in the classroom that answered with the tapping foot, believing so strongly i had the right answer:)
    in the video, i like how your mom smiles at you and then really gets down:)
    great to meecha. i is your newest follower.

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  17. Your mom rocks! Doesn't surprise me one bit. :)

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  18. Ruby is the BOMB!!!! That was seriously so so so COOL! and "awesome" :)

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  19. Your mom is so great that I just had to TWEET about her. Blessings to you both.

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  20. You are all super sweet (and AWESOME) LOL!

    Frishawn-
    Thank you so much :0)

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  21. I watched the video with my baby girl and she couldn't bop her head fast enough!

    Wow! She can sure handle those sticks! How blessed are you that you have such a wonderful mom?

    Adversity can create the most beautiful things, and she's definitely a gem! :)

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  22. I love the most that you two can look at each other and just giggle indefinately. I love your mother! I remember my 12 year old self listening to her and loving every minute of it! It's no wonder you and your girls are so musically talented! A living legend that woman is!!!

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  23. Oh Elisa, I loved seeing that! Thank you for posting it! I will never forget taking lessons from her, and just being in awe of her abilities! I always wanted to grow up to be like her! Her kindness and love always made her my favorite auntie! She looks even more beautiful today! Please give her a big hug and kiss from me!

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  24. Your mom kicks butt and takes names! Wow! I'm seriously impressed. You always said she played but it's hard to picture quite Ruby doing something like that.

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  25. Your mom pretty much drips awesomeness! I wanted to play the drums so bad, when I was little. My mom handed me a flute. We have a drum kit, now, though, so one of my kids is going to learn..lol

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  26. so u hav a beautiful and talented mom:):)sweet

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  27. She blows me away, as do you! That was beyond amazing! No wonder you are so beautiful and talented.
    Did you ever grab the drumsticks and chase your siblings around?

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  28. Your mom is amazing! Can I have her! LOL I am so amazed at how she, just like you said; meekly spoke and then...BAM!
    That was awesome! And I just read two of your post and let me tell you honey easiest read EVER! Amazing!

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  29. Your mom rocks. She is also a pretty lady. My mom can also play the local African drum which I find so cool. I can play it too but not as good as my mom.

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  30. I got a little teary watching this cuz I miss you guys so much. Your mom is so amazing, I just love her. Truly a woman who deserves everything she has and more. :)

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  31. Your mom is Awesome!!! You are so lucky to have her in your life...not everyone is so lucky. She is beautiful, talented and a joy to listen to...thank you for sharing....

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  32. Your mom is so beautiful ~ Your love for her shines through everything you write and do. Lovely post.

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  33. I can see where your looks come from in part. She is very gifted as you are.

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  34. Dear Elisa, the most famous drummer of the mid-twentieth century was Gene Krupa. Life him, your mom really has rhythm--she makes my feet want to dance. I'm wondering if she also does jazz drumming as Krupa did.

    I noticed that the blouse she wore matched the background to her left. Does she always wear that blouse when she makes music?

    Now I can truly see where you and your brother and sister got all your talent from. As you say, your mom is "awesome!" Peace.

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  35. I have always been the biggest fan of your mom!! Tell her I love her!!

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  36. Ruby you've still got it. So fun to listen to you again?. Brings back lots of memories. Can't believe it's been 50+ years. You look amazing.

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  37. Ruby you've still got it. So fun to listen to you again?. Brings back lots of memories. Can't believe it's been 50+ years. You look amazing.

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  38. Ruby you've still got it. So fun to listen to you again?. Brings back lots of memories. Can't believe it's been 50+ years. You look amazing.

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