It was Thursday late afternoon and I was rushing to meet a deadline and finish the article for the column I write in a Franciscan Magazine out of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
When my editor in chief sent out the email to all the contributors a few weeks ago, he announced the topic of the issue would be “music and the role it plays in our lives”. And he also said: “As usual, each of you is welcome to write about any topic of your choosing (except Tajci).”
I could have filled the whole magazine with all I have to say about music and why it’s important in our lives (LOL).
So I wrote about the power of music to move us, heal us, and connect us with the Divine (on top of bringing us joy, making us dance, or uplifting our spirits when we are down.) I described a few examples from my life (including some from my childhood) and stopped just before I wrapped it up with a conclusion.
It was time to go to my sons’ Winter Concert, where they were performing with their school orchestra.
They had told me to get there early and get a nice seat in the front section. I argued against it, since I like to sit toward the back because it’s higher and I can see them in the back of the orchestra (both play percussion). But they insisted, and I complied.
Three pieces in, Evan and Blais walked to the center area in front of the stage where a marimba and a vibraphone were set up. Then their teacher and conductor announced that the “Cameron brothers” were going to play a piece he had hear them practice each morning before other students would come in. The entire semester, my sons had been going to school extra early to practice a piece of music they were about to perform!
I blinked fast trying to clear my vision from a surge of tears, holding my phone steady while video recording what was happening.
Everyone got quiet and the music started.
It’s impossible to put into words what I felt…
I just know it was an intense mix of feelings of love, joy, gratitude, surprise, undeserving and deserving at the same time, grace and divine beauty. Each note carried something straight out of my sons’ hearts and reached into mine.
I thought, “how did I ever get to be so lucky to be their mother?”
At the end, the whole auditorium leaped to their feet (including the band kids on stage)! And then their teacher added that they dedicated the song to my mom and me.
I almost missed this concert – as it was supposed to be scheduled for another night when I was also performing. But because of some Divine intervention, I got to experience this – and make it the best Christmas present ever!
SPEAKING OF MUSIC AND GIFTS…
(I don’t usually do this, so I’m a bit nervous writing it.)
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