My "Published" Story's

    Welcome to my "published" story's! Of course it's not actually published, I'm just saying published as on my blog published. There will be a few later on, but for know this is what I have:

(Warning: The story or stories may not be the best edited)

   Song in My Heart (included book cover)

                

   I sat down softly onto the piano seat and stared at the piano. What could I play? It needed to be done for the convention, and I was kind of nervous. Grandma had wanted me to play something, but how could I, being deaf? I sighed. I don’t know why I am even trying. I would be the only deaf person to play, and I can’t even hear what I was playing.

   I felt anger and hurt well up inside me, and I tried to push it down. Why did I have to go deaf? Let me explain. Two months ago, I had started to lose my hearing. I finally lost it completely about three weeks ago. Well, I think so. I am still angry, hurt, and sad. 

   But, I had signed up to this concert at a conference, (before I learned that I was losing my hearing) and my grandma wanted me to still play. You see, my grandma is a pianist, or was. She also is deaf. It runs in the family. 

   My grandma insisted that I still play. I said, no, I wouldn’t. I was deaf. Well, she said that that was no excuse. Then she went and told me of when she went deaf. I had heard it many times before. Anyway, as she told me, well, actually sign languaged to me, I was kind of annoyed. “Kelly, when I was a little older than you, I got deaf to.”

   I sign languaged back, “So, what does that have to do with anything? I've heard this before.”

   “Kelly, the point is, is I still played piano after that. God gave you a gift, and you should use it. You signed up to play at the conference, and I want you to either, make up your own piece, or play one you already know. But, if I were you, I would try to make my own piece.”

   I shook my head and signed to her quickly. “Grandma, I can't. It's not possible.”

   I saw Grandma's face as she sighed, and she signed back, “Please, Kelly, try for my sake. Please. God had you sign up and get deaf for a reason. Please.”

   I stared at her, then signed back. “Grandma, I’m hurt. I don’t get why God made me deaf. Why would he do something like that?”

   “He has a purpose for you Kelly. I don’t know what, but please, just try.”

   I glanced down at the floor, then back up. I signed. “Fine, I’ll try to make my own piece, but  don’t know if it will be good.”

    And, that’s why I am sitting here now, staring at the piano. I had pushed it off till now, but I can’t any longer. The concert is in a few days. I smacked my hand against the piano keys, and I heard a faint pling. It was distant, barely noticeable, but I still heard it in my silent world.

   

   Maybe my hearing wasn’t completely gone. I put my other hand onto the piano and started to hit my fingers against it randomly. I stopped a few minutes later, annoyed. Why had I said that I could make my own piece, when I could barely hear it?

   I stood up angrily and stormed out of the room. I just wouldn’t make a song. I stormed down the hall, and paused at Grandma’s door. I peeked around the corner and saw Grandma and Grandpa side by side on the bed, sitting there, heads bowed. 

   I stared at them, trying to figure out what was going on. Just then, they both lifted their heads and I saw Grandpa sign to Grandma, “I hope Kelly is practicing. I hope God shows her what to make.”

   Then it hit me. They had been praying for me. I turned around slowly, then walked down the hall. As I entered the music room, I felt terrible. Grandma and Grandpa were praying for me. Grandma still trusted him, and she was deaf. I have heard her play, and she plays beautifully.

   My hands went numbly up to the keys of the piano, and I placed my fingers gently on it. I ran my hands slowly up and down, thinking. How would I play anything? My fingers automatically started to play Amazing Grace as I thought. 

   Before I knew it, my fingers had started to dance across the keys, and I let them go. I barely heard the noise of the piano, but to me it sounds sweet. A few minutes later, my hands stopped, and my world grew

silent again. 

   My heart felt heavy, and I realized, I had just been waiting silently for myself to play, not even knowing. I buried my face into my hands. I had given up on God, and Grandma had not. I started to silently cry, tears streaming down my cheeks.

   Grandma had always said that I inspired her to read the Bible more, and to trust God more. And now, because of my selfish thoughts, I had blocked out God. I now realize that God was trying to help me, trying to show me something. I lifted my head and closed my eyes. Lord, I prayed, please help me to make a piece. 

   I opened my eyes and stared at the piano. I sat like that for a while, not thinking. Finally, I placed my hands on the keys and started to strike the chords. I paused and stood up. I reached up to the top of the piano and grabbed a box.

   It was 8.5 inches by 11 inches. I set it on my lap and stared at it. Should I try to make my own piece? I opened the box before I could change my mind, and I grabbed one of the papers. I picked up the pencil that was inside, then placed the box back on the top.

   The blank page stared up at me. I picked up the pencil, then put it down. I placed the paper to the side gently, then placed my hands on the piano. What to play. What notes should I use? I glanced out the window, then back at the piano. I hit a few chords, then hit them again. I picked up my paper and wrote down the notes, smiling. Maybe this would work.

   My hands danced across the board, and I wrote them down. Barely hearing them, I was just hoping they sounded good. Finally, after a while, I had a song. Or I hoped it was a song. I placed the strictly wrinkled paper in front of me, took a deep breath, and played the music.

   

   I rubbed my eyes and yawned. As I bent back over to the keys of the piano, I noticed the light was ducky, making everything look gray. I shrugged. Might as well stop. I stood up and stretched. My stomach rumbled, making me realize I probably had missed launch. 

   I placed my music gently on top of the piano, then turned and exited the room. I smiled as I entered the dining room, and grandpa glanced at me and smiled back. “How did it go?” He signed.

   “Well.” I answered. “Or I hope it did.”

   “From what I heard, it sounded good.”

   I nodded my head and sat down. “Grandpa,” I signed, “Where is grandma?”

   He glanced at the doorway and said, “She’s coming.” I nodded my head.

  

   I clutched my music in my hand and took a deep breath. Breathe, Kelly. I glanced up at the ceiling and prayed, Lord, please help me to be calm. I jumped when someone touched my arm, and I whirled around. A man behind me opened his mouth, but I heard nothing. The confused look on my face must have explained things, and he stopped and just motioned towards the stage. 

   I nodded my head, suddenly understanding. I turned towards grandpa, and he nodded his head at me, and I turned towards the entrance of the stage. I took a deep quaky breath, then stepped onto the stage. I gasped when I saw the crowd spread across the room. There must be hundreds!! My legs started to slack, and I felt grandpa nudge me. 

   I stared at the crowd, not taking my eyes off them. Grandpa stopped in front of a microphone and his mouth moved fast, saying something. I was still staring at the crowd, and I saw some of their faces go from relaxed to surprised. 

   Some people's mouths dropped open, then some people started to clap. Only a few at a time, then I saw other people start to clap. I felt grandpa nudge me, and I glanced at him. He motioned to a piano on one side, and I nodded and walked over to it, trying not to trip on the chords that were laying on the stage. 

   I sat down on the piano seat, then hesitated. I glanced at grandpa, and he nodded his head encouragingly. I took a deep breath, sent up a quick prayer for strength, then set the sheets of music in place. 

   I stretched my fingers, getting them warmed up, in my silent world, there was no noise, then, as though a thunderclap had happened, I struck the first notes. I started, startled. I had heard the notes as clear as a bell. 

   I shook my head. No use daydreaming. I struck the same notes again, then my fingers slowly danced, making the music I had put together. I first went slowly, softly, as though it was the meowing of a small newborn kitten. It grew stronger, and it became louder, growing from sweet to sad. 

   I poured myself out into it, paying attention only to the music, and not to anything else. I went from sad to bitter, then bitter to sweet. I got caught up in my music, barely breathing.

As the last note died away, I felt as though a loud noise had been taken off her back, and I actually smiled, a real smile, and glanced at grandpa. I turned fully towards him, and he smiled. 

   Tears were running down his face, and he motioned his head towards the crowd. I gave him a confused expression, then stood up and turned. When I turned, I got the shock of my life. People were standing up, applauding.

    I stood there and stared. Finally, jerked out of my daze, I curtsied. I stood there dazed, till I felt grandpa grab my arm gently and walk me off the stage. After we got off, I turned to grandpa and signed to him, “How did it sound?”

   He shook his head and signed back, “Beautiful beyond description. God has certainly given you a gift.”

   I stared at him, then signed back, “Really?”

   He nodded. I sighed. Good, I was hoping it was good. I swallowed hard, then followed grandpa out from behind the stage and back to our seats. I felt people's eyes on me, and I squirmed. But I stopped when the speaker started to do his slide show and talk. I drank up as much information as possible from the slide shows, and I relaxed.

 

   I stood up and stretched, then followed grandpa and grandma out into the walkway. People congratulated me, and I nodded at them. Finally, after a while, I was worn out. I wanted to go home. I motioned to grandpa that I did and he nodded. 

   As we pulled into our driveway, I looked at grandpa and signed, “Grandpa, when is my appointment with the ear specialist?”

   He pulled to a stop and answered back, “Tomorrow at 12 o’clock.” I nodded my head and got out.

 

     I sat in the waiting room and twiddled my thumbs. I had had my appointment with my ear specialist, or audiologist (that’s what they're called) and we were now waiting for the results of my test. I took a deep breath and glanced at grandpa. He smiled and then looked back at the magazine that he had in his hand. 

   I jumped when the door opened to the doctor’s examination room, and the doctor walked out. Dr. White smiled down at me, then turned to grandpa. He started to talk, sometimes motioning to me, and then grandpa soon turned towards me and signed, “Kelly, Dr. White said that your hearing hasn't completely gone. But, the only way you could hear again is you would have to get some hearing aids.”

   I stared at him, astonished. I could get hearing aids? And hear again? It seemed to true to be true. I quickly signed back, “Yes!”

   Grandpa turned back to the doctor and said something. I stared at the floor, thinking. It would be such a blessing to hear again. Thank you Lord. I don’t deserve this, but...Lord,  thank you so much! I’m sorry I complained.

   I was jerked out of my thought’s by a nudge on my arm, and I glanced up. Grandpa signed, “it’s time to leave.”

   I nodded my head and stood up. I smiled at Dr. White and shook his hand. I almost skipped as we left the building, and I signed to grandpa, “I’m so excited!!”

   He smiled and signed back, “We will need to talk to grandma, but I think the only thing  we need to worry about is the expense.” I stopped and gave him a worried look.

   “Will it be expensive?”

  He shrugged and signed, “It doesn't matter. Your grandmother and I have saved up money.”

I just grinned.

   The next day, I went about, thinking about the night before, a song in my heart.

   Psalm 96:1-3

Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

   Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

(Note: The highlighted parts are accidental. I don't know how to get rid of them. So . . . if anyone knows how to get rid of them, please comment. ;D)