No, this isn’t a nostalgic trip back to 1966 and the Beach Boys, but I’m here to share stories of good vibrations.
Step
back in time with me to the early 1800s. Composer Ludwig von Beethoven lost his
hearing, yet music still poured from his soul. He sawed off his piano’s legs,
bringing the vibrations closer to the floor, strengthening them. Then he lay on
the floor—his ear pressed to it. Although an agonizing challenge, he continued “listening”
and composing until his death.
Jump forward to the 1990s. One of my dearest friends, Doris (who began losing her hearing in her 50s) was profoundly deaf when I met her. She loved music, knew I played violin, and wanted to “listen” to me play. Doris placed her hand on the edge of my violin while I played. A smile broke across her face and her eyes lighted with joy—like she’d received a gift.
During
the time I served in deaf ministry, someone introduced another means of including
the deaf deeper in worship. Those who wished held an inflated balloon gently
between their hands on their laps. Later, my hubby and I also used this means
with the elderly in nursing home ministry where those dear souls loved these
good vibrations.
Leap
again to 2022. If balloons aided the deaf and elderly, could those good
vibrations help people with sensory deprivation—like those on the autism
spectrum scale? I tried it and pleasantly witnessed a calming as music played
(which sometimes otherwise irritated them), and they engaged.
A
piano brought floor level, a hand on a violin, an inflated balloon between
hands—all means of “borrowing” songs the deaf, elderly, and sensory challenged otherwise
might’ve missed.
I don’t recommend
sawing legs off a piano—especially if it’s not yours! And I happen to own a
violin. Not everyone does or wants to. But could you help others “borrow” songs
with the simple purchase of a bag of balloons, producing good vibrations? (I
always carry some in my violin case.)
Do
you know of others who need to “borrow” songs, minus use of a balloon? The
broken-hearted, the grieving, the depressed? In my next post, I’ll share stories
of three people who borrowed songs until they found theirs again.
In
the meantime, how ’bout trying this means of “borrowing” music and feeling
those “good, good, good—good vibrations!”*
Great article but don't get any ideas about lowering the legs on our piano!
ReplyDeleteI'd get electrocuted! Thanks for all you do to help me with blogging. Much love always...
DeleteBut as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
ReplyDeleteAmen! A wonder verse to remember! Thank you for sharing.
DeleteTerry does a singing service at two nursing homes. Maybe using the inflated balloons would help the residents hear better. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jamie! That's grand! And some of the Alzheimer patients liked it too, although I'm not sure if theirs might "take flight."
DeleteAlthough I never got further than a duet of Chop Sticks with Carolyn at your house, your piano and the music shared by your family still lives in my heart today. Your family and my whole Campbell Street (where we grew up) family was a golden treasure in my life. Your family’s music continued on to your church family. I still hear your Dad bellowing out How Great Thou Art(still my favorite hymn which brings tears to my eyes),
ReplyDeleteAnd the missionaries visiting playing bells, Crystal glasses and of course memories of the church organ coming to your home before it was delivered to the church in Woodbridge.
During the past year since my beloved son passed away, those comforting memories keep popping into my head. And my heart.
It means so much that our family meant all that to you. Thank You, God. Continuing to pray much for you. Hugs, Campbell Street kid!
ReplyDelete