Vera was the pianist at the church I pastored in Iola, Kansas. Growing up in the church, Vera was aware that the church had paid for piano lessons for several young people hoping to gain a church pianist, which never materialized. For some reason, Vera had never put herself forward to be included in the group fortunate enough to take lessons. Nevertheless, she was determined to learn the piano. When I met her in 1991, she was self-taught, had been the church pianist for decades and had taught several others to play.