Little things that matter

As sand grains sparkle under the moonlight, so do little things add together to compose life's blissful moments. It may not be possible to identify every individual thing that makes us happy because there often exist more than we are aware. One way to know is through loss and, hopefully, regain.

We know that music provides comfort to people. We operate under that assumption, and its truth is constantly being confirmed. But this week I learned that there is something more that makes a listener happy. A listener is not merely a passive recipient of what the musician provides--a listener is an active participant in a communication between two souls.

A son was caring for his elderly mother as I entered the room, whose face was half-covered by a breathing mask. The son asked me to play something by Kreisler. "How about Liebeslied?" I asked. "How about that! You like that piece, don't you?" He smiled at his mother, who wheezed under the mask, without expression. "She'd like that. Please go ahead."

As I played, mother and son listened attentively, as if I was telling a story that they have both heard many times but still enjoyed its familiarity. When the piece ended, the son grinned. "Wonderful!" he clapped. "Thank you, glad you enjoyed it," I picked up my cane and started to turn toward the door. "Good night!"

"Don't you think that's wonderful?" The son asked his mother, who continued wheezing softly, expressionless. "Would you like to clap?"

Her face suddenly changed. She turned her head slightly toward her son, her gaze quickly shifted between the two of us. I suddenly understood that look meant. How insensitive of me! I put down my cane and moved a little closer to the bed, waiting.

The son gently brought her two hands together, which hung lifelessly on either side of her body. She slowly raised her hands, palms touching, then separating. Once, twice. "Great!" the son beamed, even more excited than before. "You enjoyed the music, too!"

And then there it was, a smile on the mother's face. Not just any smile--it was a smile with a little satisfaction in it.