when they come

I had another piano student start lessons today. I taught her before, for several years, and by the time I quit teaching she was getting pretty good. She still struggled with reading music a bit, and dynamics were more practiced than natural. When she came today, a year and a half later, I asked her what she has been working on. She responded with a beautiful piece that she taught herself, learned from music, but played from memory with proper fingering, hand position and dynamics. It was lovely and nearly moved me to tears. Teaching may sometimes be difficult, but the rewards, when they come, are so great!