Dear Friends
I don’t usually talk to “strangers” and certainly not to children/youth I don’t know. But when their parents or teachers are close by,
when it seems appropriate, I do find myself saying something like (teasing and
serious at the same time) “for job security, go into anything in the medical/senior
health or home care fields, and if you have money left over, invest it now in
things like walkers and hearing aids”. This reflects, of course, the changing
demographics which all point to, as they call it here in Hawaii, the “silver
tsunami”. Ten thousand (10,000) Americans are turning 65 every single day, I read a few months
ago.
The other thing I find myself saying to young
musicians (see photo) is that while we usually think of those in the healing professions
as doctors, nurses, counselors, clergy etc., anyone who makes music (or is
involved in any of the “arts”) is part of the healing profession too! Music
brings healing and hope and joy to people in so many ways. Keep practicing,
keep sharing your gift. Someday, when I am using the walker and hearing aids you
invested in, I want to, while I still can, come hear you play and sing, watch you dance and act, see your paintings and photographs, smell and taste your kitchen creations, enjoy your poems and short stories.............
Whether it is the middle school ukulele choir we heard
at the Kauai Relay for Life a few weeks ago, the background sounds of Hawaiian music at the
grocery story, or the music of our Sunday liturgy (guess who gradually worked
his way into picking the hymns for September) music (along with all the arts) is the great unify-er and
healer and peacemaker.
Keep the music going. Keep on strummin'.
John
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