No Brief Candle

The jury is out as to whether Facebook is the great connector or the death of human civility. Frankly, most of the evidence points to the latter. But more than occasionally, people post things that I find important, useful, inspiring, uplifting. Like this quote from George Bernard Shaw.

 

 

I think from childhood on, I always had some inward sense that I was bound to some worthy purpose. I hadn’t the slightest idea of what it would be, but I felt its presence none the less. Of course, there have been (and still are) times when I felt like a “feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances” and still in some blog posts, you can hear my complaint that “the world is not devoting itself to making me happy.” But alongside that is the firm conviction that indeed my life belongs to the whole community and it is indeed, my privilege to do for it what I can. Like going to the Jewish Home yet again on Friday for a glorious hour of bringing comfort and happiness to the people there, most of whom I now know, through the simple act of moving fingers up and down the piano. Then on Saturday, I went to the Redwoods, another Senior Home in Marin County where two friends now live and played again for some 30 people they had gathered, with them singing along to some 15 songs amidst the piano solos. This is a new group for me, but it felt like we were old friends by the end and their happiness charged the air, tangible and touchable. 

Today, Sunday, I’m gathering with the old neighbors to continue the singing we began during the pandemic, those little kids now almost double their age and all of us re-stitching the threads of song begun four years ago in what feels like another lifetime. 

 

Bringing music to the folks, from 3 to 103 years old, is the flaming torch Life handed me and I am blessed to have the health and energy to keep running with it before releasing it fully to the future generations. Meanwhile, each gathering is a passing it on of sorts and it appears to be doing its work well of bringing light and warmth into people’s lives. 

 

Like this note I just received from a participant in my Orff workshop in Rochester: 

 

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the workshop you led in Rochester. It was such a PRIVILEGE (caps hers) to experience your teaching again after more than 20 years. Your method and process profoundly influenced my work as a new teacher all those years ago, so it was incredibly validating to see how your approach has remained so consistent and impactful over the years. I left the workshop feeling inspired, rejuvenated, validated and ready to bring even more joy into my teaching. 

 

Your dedication to the Orff philosophy continues to inspire not only me, but countless music educators and children worldwide. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to music education and sharing your legacy with us. For that, I just want to say “WELL DONE!”

 

 It’s my pleasure. Much better than being a little clod of ailments and grievances.