My mother spent her life building up people and molding musicians. She operated by pure love --- her love of music and her love of people. She often taught more than 30 piano or vocal lessons a week, but did it mostly for the blessings of satisfaction that she had helped people bring joy into their lives through working on skills. This usually meant that she rarely charged the going rate and did a lot of BARTERING.
We lived in Texas in the mid to late 1960's. Most of my mother's students came from our Church congregation and also happened to live pretty far away from our neighborhood. One family had 12 children and not enough money for them all to get luxuries such as private lessons. My mother loved this family and saw some real talent in many of the children. She offered to give lessons in exchange for having the mother, who was a good seamstress, sew for us.
We lived in Texas in the mid to late 1960's. Most of my mother's students came from our Church congregation and also happened to live pretty far away from our neighborhood. One family had 12 children and not enough money for them all to get luxuries such as private lessons. My mother loved this family and saw some real talent in many of the children. She offered to give lessons in exchange for having the mother, who was a good seamstress, sew for us.
In those days, the schools had dress codes. That meant the girls wore dresses every day. So, my mother would contract with this seamstress --- so many dresses for so many lessons. This seemed to work out well for us. Mom would allow me and my sister the opportunity to choose fabric and some time later, we would get new school clothes. I think I remember our brothers getting a few new shirts this way, too. These clothes were never very fancy, but they were new! (That was a luxury for us!)
My mother was a pro at BARTERING --- music lessons for yard work, babysitting, produce from the garden, bottled fruit, rides to activities for her children, and the list goes on. I am sure this hearkened back to her pioneer heritage and lessons from living through the Great Depression of the 1930's. When people have no currency, they trade.
With the way things are heading in our country with so many people put suddenly out of work, we may need to get back to the thrift practices of our ancestors!
My mother was a pro at BARTERING --- music lessons for yard work, babysitting, produce from the garden, bottled fruit, rides to activities for her children, and the list goes on. I am sure this hearkened back to her pioneer heritage and lessons from living through the Great Depression of the 1930's. When people have no currency, they trade.
With the way things are heading in our country with so many people put suddenly out of work, we may need to get back to the thrift practices of our ancestors!
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