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Year Four, Day 74: Musical Healing

I accompanied the Francis Street Singers last night in concert. I have been their choir accompanist for at least 20 years.  I love this group.

As usual, the music enveloped me, and permeated my very soul.

I'm not being overly dramatic.  It was a healing, spiritual experience.

I was thinking of my son when the choir sang "Sure on This Shining Night".  I felt like a vessel, as the lush harmonies flowed through my fingertips.  The hairs on my arms were standing on end. So I know we were in our musical zone.

But the song "The Rune of Hospitality" really hit me.  Here are the lyrics:


The Rune of Hospitality

By Alf Houkom 

I saw a stranger yestereen;
 I put food in the eating place;
 Drink in the drinking place,
 Music  in the listening place;
And, in the sacred name of the Triune,
 He blessed myself and my house,
 My cattle and my dear ones,
 And the lark said in her song,
  Often, often, often,
Goes the Christ in the stranger's guise,
  Often, often, often,
Goes the Christ in the stranger's guise.
 
This piece was accompanied by guitar. The harmonies were sometimes eerie. Yet poignant. And 
coincidentally I met a stranger. On the bust. Right before the concert. We had a spiritual 
conversation about music, about life.  It was one of those moments when time stands still. 
We both noticed it. 
 
I felt like I had been blessed by an angel. I was worried that I would not perform well that evening. 
 
I had been so distracted with my son's situation. But after our conversation, I felt calm
and peaceful. And full of love.


When I got home last night, I spoke to my son before bed. He was excited about some history 
books he was reading. My son. Reading! History books no less!


I had a moment where I felt deeply saddened. My son cannot listen to music in jail. Although his 
tastes in music differ then mine (mostly rap and hip-hop), he has been mesmerized by music
his whole life.  One fond memory, was when he was a teenager.  I told him I needed to practice
and hoped I wasn't keeping him awake. He told me that he liked to hear my piano music at night.
"Especially Mozart", he said. "Mozart relaxes me".
 
I hadn't realized that he even knew who Mozart was!
 
So I will be dedicating a Mozart piece to Andrew at my fundraising concerts.
 
For now, I need to end this blog and teach a student.
 
I wish I could wrap up all these loving peaceful feelings for when life gets stressful again.
 
I guess I can just keep remembering them.
 
On a side note, I really need to get back to exercising again. My granddaughter is beginning to walk 
and I need top keep up with her!




 
Have a peaceful, loving day my friends!
 
 
Talk to you soon.
 
Love,
 
Zita  
 
 

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