There’s a 97-year-old man named Herb out there somewhere, right now, with an enthusiasm for music I rarely see in others. It isn’t an occasional, ambient pastime, music is part of his daily routine.

Enthusiastically, he approaches me as I play the somber Chopin Prelude above, inviting me to witness his prized collection of music. I slowly walk with him to his room and see 10 CDs scattered on his bed, right where he left them when he heard my piano-playing and decided to introduce himself a few minutes earlier. He pauses the Bolero quietly playing on his boom box and opens a drawer. Stacked to the brim are at least 50 other CDs, mostly classical, peeking out. Herb honors these with reverence: a dedicated space right next to his bed, filled with cherished relics, accessible whenever inspiration strikes.

Herb clearly treasures music. He begins sharing stories of pianists, composers, or conductors as he pulls out each CD. His son gave him this one, his wife used to love this one, and so on. He is particularly enthusiastic as he shares his Leonard Bernstein collection, and his collection of Chopin Ballades. During his military service 50 years prior, he had the honor to be in the audience to hear Arthur Rubinstein (a world-renown pianist), who toured prolifically in the 20th century. Can you imagine, hearing your musical hero live? It must have been remarkable and inspiring - I share with him my amazement.

For a man with limited mobility, frequent surgeries (and another upcoming heart surgery for which he seems entirely relaxed somehow), and having outlived many friends and loved-ones, music is his adventure and daily companion. It fills his days with discovery, joy, and remembrance. It makes me realize (yet again) that even though music doesn't literally heal our aching body or scarred spirit, music is a tool we can rely upon to ease and enhance our experience in the moment.

Music transports our spirit elsewhere when we're physically trapped.
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In reflection, this begs me to remind you that although in this moment, you may be able to move about comfortably & even rely on physical and mental therapies to maintain overall well-being, this is not the case for everyone, and it certainly won't always be the case for each of us. Perhaps we will be able to thrive with presence as we move forward because we engage with, and enhance, our wellness toolbox over the years.