It is the first day of February. February is a short month. That allowed me to make a commitment to myself. I will go for at least a thirty minute walk every day of the month. I started today. I plugged in my earbuds and tuned in a podcast. It was the CBC radio program ‘Tapestry’ with Mary Hines. In this podcast she was interviewing portrait artist, Riva Lehrer. Near the beginning of the interview, as she spoke on how the impact of the Covid restrictions were effecting her, Lehrer said, “I miss the world.”
“I miss the world.” As I heard this I was passing the gate to the local park. A man walking his dog, smiled and waved, and said, “Hello”. It felt so good to see someone and to just say, “Hello”! Then I passed the outdoor ice pad. As I approached, a young teen took a slap shot that resulted in the puck landing in the snowbank beside my feet. I picked it up and tossed it back to him and said, “Hey, thanks.” And in that moment I realized, Yep, I miss the world too. I miss those simple interactions that brighten a day. I miss the presence of people, not a scheduled conversation on screen, even though those meet a need, it is not the same as seeing someone, noticing their being, sensing their aura.
The interview on the podcast continued unfolding in my ear as I navigating snowy sidewalks, avoiding getting too close to any other walkers who were out catching the last of the afternoon sun. Interspersed through the conversation Lehrer offered pieces of music that are helping her get through these days of isolation. That got me running mentally through my catalogue of favourite pieces of music.
Which tunes are getting you through these days of “shut down”? Here are some of my go-to’s. When the days seem long and I need a little reminder of endurance I dial up Dave Carroll singing ‘Now’. This was a favourite of my dear friend Betty who found it strengthening as she fought her losing battle with cancer. “When there’s no way out, there’s still a way through. So don’t give up whatever you do. Surrender the moments and things as they are from the gaps in your catch-22’s.”
And when I need to be reminded of my place in the bigger picture how could I not play ‘The Circle of Life’ from the play and the movie The Lion King?
When I need to do a little daydreaming and hoping for better days it has to be Eva Cassidy singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. Her version of ‘Fields of Gold’ is pretty awesome and reminds me of my nieces wedding under the sprawling willow tree as her cousin sang this song to the gathered witnesses.
For some reason, John Denver singing, ‘Sunshine on My Shoulder’ always reminds me of the pasture and meandering creek on the farm where I grew up.
Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D Major’ and Purcell’s ‘Trumpet Tune’ remind me of crowded sanctuaries and nervous grooms watching their partner float down the aisle. The calming repetition of the Canon and the spirited trill of the Trumpet are guaranteed to sooth and lift the soul – even in the midst of Covid!
And when I really need to reach deep, I can always turn to Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ – who cannot be inspired by ‘Spring’?
I could go on and on but I know this will be enough to get your imagination fired up and to let your mind drift through your music catalogue. Let me know what is lifting your spirits these days. Ephesians 5:19 says, “Sing and make music from your heart.” Post, in the comment section below, the titles and names of what you are listening to these days to keep your spirit light …or at least coping! Curious minds want to know.
Ah Nancy, a subject close to my heart. You asked, here goes…In lent I was bewildered with the lock down and turned to Bach’s B minor mass for comfort. Then Covid persisted and I had run through the majors, requiems and the like. By December the Christmas Oratorios, all 6 helped for a few days, then recently came Messiah Complex familiar with a twist. During the working hours in the shop I will sometimes have jazz playing from You Tube channels. When desperate I turn to Randy Rainbow for comic relief and political satire. If depressed it’s always fun to revisit stuff like the Marx Brothers. Chick and Harpo were fabulous musicians, then my mainstay is Gershwin. I subscribe to a web blog called Gershwin100 which comes out with obscure songs written by Gershwin and others like Kay Swift that are largely unknown. They are mostly love ballads sometimes with the most comical lyrics.
This is what has kept me sane, if indeed I am still sane….and did I forget to mention checking in each week to hear you and others in the virtual services? Thanks for asking.
My music catalogue is not very extensive as I usually just play music when I am walking or on the treadmill. I tend to favour music for the melody and not the words which explains my love of Nessun Dorma – Andrea Bocelli in Central Park. I have no idea what is being sung, but the choral parts in that song really get to me. It is beautiful. One other song that I would say is my favourite all time song is Love’s Theme by The Love Unlimited Orchestra. Again no words, but the music is really inspiring to me. It gets me up and going. Of course I have to include Gloria to my list of favourites!