2/8/24
He’s wearing a suit and tie for the recital; he asked her to come, and her whole family. He started out sitting with us; in our normal pew, next to his younger brother. It’s his turn to play, my heart is carried away by the music, the tender joy he spills into it. I am a little boat and his music is the river and I'm along for a glorious ride. I close my eyes to better feel the rhythm and the tears stream and I don't care. I feel like I could stay here forever, just listening, in awe of the beauty spilling out right here in this moment.
I settle in deep-- for minutes or hours? I can’t say.
But then my heart jolts- wait, the song is about to end, I can feel it coming but i’m not ready. I’m not done, keep playing, don't stop…
There is no sign that he hears my panic as I grope for an anchor for this moment.
He slows, gently, and glides into the harbor with a perfect finish.
When he’s done, he looks for her, he takes a seat by her, in the other pew, with her family. And I am watching his family double before my eyes.
It’s a sad and joyful resignation: The song has to finish for the next one to begin.
