Year Two, Day 222: Touching Souls at Portland Rescue Mission

Oh, still sick am I!

I did manage to make it to our last homeless concert tonight. I drank much tea with honey, sat in front of the old Vicks vaporizer (I remember these from when I was a kid!), and sucked on honey lemon cough drops.

Then I took a nice steamy hot shower and my friends picked me up and whisked me away to the Portland Rescue Mission downtown.

I was a little unnerved as we pulled up. We had not played there before. And there were many homeless men lined up on the sidewalks.  Most had ragged clothes and backpacks.  Many were older, bearded, missing teeth.  Here are where you find the people in most need of help in Portland.  No sugar coating it.

I was a little fearful of this rugged bunch. Would they really appreciate our gift of music when their basic needs were barely being met. Would they resent us?

We walked in and I told them we were their musicians for the evening. Many friendly faces pointed us in the direction of the chapel.  We walked in to hundreds of people sitting on chairs watching a football game on the big screen. With no sound.

One of the volunteers showed us where we could set up.  As we got our instruments together, I noticed they would call a row at a time of people into the other room for their meal.

As we started to play, I forgot about my stuffy nose. We played a variety of Christmas carols, and some movie themes. I could feel the crowd tuning into us. Then the other musicians took a break and I played some Elton John.  Each piece we played was met with applause.  And smiles. And very tired, hungry, dirty faces.

And then our cellist played the Prelude from the Bach Cello Suite in G. It is unaccompanied.  I watched the faces of the people as he played. This piece reaches down deep and grabs the soul. And I could tell they felt it. The room became very still. Some people were staring at the cello. Some had small smiles and a far off look in their eyes. Some had their eyes closed. I wanted to cry.

Beautiful music stirs the sould and heals the heart. It brings back memories.  and it touched these people tonight.

This has been my favorite gig so far. As we packed up to leave, most of them called out their favorite tunes and we got many heartfelt thank yous.  One gentleman came up and stood by my piano while I played "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". He was watching my fingers in amazement. With a big grin on his face.

He told me he loved Elton John and wished he had learned to play the piano. I gave him a high five as we began to pack up.

Outside, rain had begun to fall. Some of the people standing on the sidewalk were covered in plastic bags. But even still, they smiled and thanked us.  One older gentleman pulled me aside and said, "My favorite piece was the Cantina Band from Star Wars!" I gave him a thumbs up sign. We wished everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season.

My heart was bursting.  I told the group I wanted to do this more often. Reach more people. The lowliest.

How can these people who have nothing, experience such joy, and some of us that have so much more ever complain?

I am home. My throat is hurting again. But my heart is bursting with joy.  I could say so much more, but I shall end it at this.

Happy Monday!