For the past four years, I’ve been wanting to attend Flower Piano, where 12 grand pianos are placed all around SF Botanical Gardens. This year, I was finally able to go.

My favorite part of Flower Piano 🌸🎹 wasn’t seeing the polished performers with fancy dresses and music stands.

It was watching the shy, awkward boy settle and relax into his true brilliance as soon as he played the opening notes of his song.

It was listening to an unassuming teen dressed in a black hoodie and baggy jeans, absolutely rock the audience with his seamless performance of Chopin. The ordinary folks with extraordinary talent were the most fascinating for me.

It was feeling my own heart pound with fear/excitement (I know they both feel the same in the body!) as a pianist stood up from the bench to give the opportunity for other pianists to play.

It was listening to the voice of my friend, nudging me gently and whispering, “Now’s your chance to play!” as I watched more and more people trickle in and set up blankets on the lawn. Tentatively, I stood up and made my way to the piano, placed my fingers on the familiar black and white keys and played from my heart.

If life is like a piano, I want to hear everyone’s song. Young and old. Novice and advanced. I want to sit with my feet in the grass- smiling, surprised, and delighted by all.