Traveling abroad enriches the mind in unexpected ways just as it did for my own daughter.

By Jackie Saulmon Ramirez | February 1, 2014

My daughter felt welcomed and played the piano many times in the church.

My daughter Katie studied art in Italy for a year. She had taught herself to play the piano and missed it while she was there. She took a walk to explore the area and came upon a church with a large wooden door that was left ajar. Curious, she opened the door and peered inside. As her eyes adjusted she could see two figures, a priest and a woman who worked at the church.

“Hello, I was hoping to play the piano,” she said.

The priest waved her to the piano and said, “You are welcome to play any time you find the door open.”

Katie thanked them, made herself comfortable and began to play. The music flowed from piece to piece as she felt a weight being lifted from her soul. Glancing at her watch she didn’t realize she had played for so long. She turned to see if anyone was still there and both were listening intently. The priest spoke to the woman and she left and returned quickly.

About to leave, Katie graciously thanked the priest and the woman for allowing her to play. The priest held a large, ancient key in his outstretched hand.

“Here is your very own key to come and play as often as you like,” he said.

Katie felt welcomed and played many times in the church. She felt as if she were leaving an old friend when she returned the key for the last time, grateful for kind and trusting people in the world.

Copyright © 2014 Jackie Saulmon Ramirez. All Rights Reserved.

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