Lisa Sauder
I just want to share two things about Dad that positively affected my life. When I was around the 10-11 year old range, I loved playing the piano but wasn't very good at finishing a piece. As soon as it became too difficult I would stop playing it and move on to something else. Dad noticed I was doing this. One day I was working on Turkish Rondo by Mozart but decided to stop because I'd gotten to this new section with very high notes that I couldn't read very well. Dad stopped me from leaving and was like, "Nope, you're sitting here at this piano until you figure out how to play this passage." He walked out and closed the door as I was literally bawling because in my mind, and as I tried to tell him, it was too hard and I couldn't do it. Lol. However, after the initial frustration I decided I might as well give it a try since apparently I couldn't get off the bench until I figured it out. That additional mental focus was all I needed. Things just sort of clicked and I understood what I was looking at and how to play it. I stll remember my response just being like, "...oh...he was right..." That moment was a huge turning point for me. I realized I actually WAS capable of conquering the hard stuff, and all I had to do was put some real work into my practicing. There have been many people in my life who shaped my music, and each contribution they made is extremely valuable to me, but I'm not sure I would have become the musician I am today if I hadn't learned this lesson from Dad. He believed that I could achieve anything with music, and his encouragement (and tough love lol!) made me believe it too.
I'm not sure how many people know this but Dad was actually a chemist for several years before starting the family business. He was even dual majoring in chemistry and voice at FSU (what a combination!) but then dropped the voice part because the chemistry was so difficult. He and mom moved to the Gainesville area in 1983 for his first job out of college. However, that company fired Dad because they wanted him to fabricate data and he refused to do so. When I heard that story as a young child, it impressed me because Dad stood up for the righteousness of God despite the cost. He valued truth and being truthful, so I wanted to be like that too when in the face of adversity. It's still a standard for me today that I pray for strength and courage to be able to live up to, whenever such moments arise.
I thank Jesus for using my Dad to teach me these foundational lessons. I know they will impact me for the rest of my life.
I love you so much, Dad. Thank you for everything that you did for us. ❤️