I’ve literally known Mrs. Bastien since I was born (or rather, she’s known me). According to the story, my mom carried me into the Bastien house in a baby carrier the first time my sister met with her to begin lessons. That was the first of many, many hours I spent in her waiting room.
I loved that room! I read all of Mrs. B’s books on the different composers (those books had the best illustrations. I was really into the one on Mozart), a lot of her Garfield comic compilations (I think that’s where my Garfield enthusiasm started), and her Betty and Veronica comics (kind of strange reading material for an elementary school kid, I think). And she always had cookies in her cookie jar (she has the cutest cookie jars) and lemonade right next to it. I still think of Mrs. B when I eat Nilla wafers.
Through Tammy, Mrs. Bastien became a part of my life even before I began taking piano lessons. When I had a big cello concert in 4th grade, my own cello teacher couldn’t make it, but Mrs. Bastien was there with flowers and a gift, as always.
As it turned out, piano wasn’t really my calling, and I ended up quitting lessons sophomore year. For some reason I was really upset about that - I think not so much for quitting lessons, but more because I felt like I was letting Mrs. B down. Even though I didn’t see her every week after that, she was still one of the first people I thought to invite when it came time for my senior recital.
I’ve made Mrs. B sound like a surrogate grandmother; I think that’s what she’s been to me (and to all her other students), at least in part. But she’s also a wonderful teacher, I think the best teacher (in any area) I’ve had so far. I don’t think her style of teaching is suitable for everyone, but it’s really perfect for her main audience - little kids just starting to play the piano.
Anyway, I started all this reminiscing because I finally got around to calling her today. She’s still hilarious (it cracks me up when she says “Oh my God, Margaret” and delves into a detailed story about what one of her other students is up to - makes me wonder what she tells people about me), but I think now that I’m in college, she feels the need to pass on some her (truly ample) life wisdom.
Mrs. Bastien on choosing a job:
“I think the best job would probably be to paint a house - it would be a lot of work and a lot of fumes, but you could see what your work was for.”
Mrs. Bastien on my Christmas present to her (a glass wind chime with music decorations):
“I had a garden tour the other day, and the other ladies just loved it! Everyone was asking me where I got it. And everybody wants it, which makes me happy.”
Mrs. Bastien on Facebook:
“Everyone keeps telling me, ‘Oh get on Facebook.’ I don’t want to get on Facebook, that’s the last place I want to be.”
Finally, Mrs. Bastien on finding your passion:
“You’ve gotta do what makes you want to get out of bed when you’re my age.”
