Listen to the Song

Today, I was privileged to spend time with a family in the Critical Care Unit of the hospital. It is an honor and sacred space when you sit with those who pray, wait, and hope. It is the land in between that is tenuous for the soul and tiring on the body, yet precious in the spirit.

It was a gentle reminder of how much words can fail us, as there are no pat answers or easy fixes in such a time.

I realized again how invaluable the gift of presence truly is. Clinging hugs. Wiping tears. Reading scriptures. Listening to music. And then quiet. Even the quiet was a gift.

As I teach my piano students, one of the aspects of music we talk about is the melody and the harmony in a song. The melody is the recognizable part of the song that creates a tune that we sing, hum, or whistle. It is a single note pattern to be played dominantly. The harmony, on the other hand, is a group of notes that is behind, beneath, and around the melody. While played more softly, it provides the texture and mood of the song. 

So often, when I come to critical junctures in life - I look, grasp, and fumble for a melody line. Give me something to be an obvious pattern to follow, something that will provide steadiness to my wobbly emotions and knees. And this is good. 

What I've learned today is that during such a time, just as important is the harmony that plays. Softly and tenderly, almost unrecognizable, yet surrounding us like a warm blanket of reassurance. The harmony of sharing hope and love that reaches beyond knowledge and becomes an experience. 

Living your best life has its good days and some hard ones, too. Listening for the melody will steady your steps, while the harmony carries your spirit. God bless you and those you sit with in such a time as this.