Piano man

 I usually blog about things going on that upset me...but very rarely do I post on happy sweet experiences.  So this morning, I am going to write about someone I met while volunteering at the Homeless Alliance Center in Oklahoma City.

I started volunteering there, setting up and running a dog kennel for homeless people with pets, to keep them safe while they are at the center.  I loved doing this.

One day, I met a man who was an employee there.  He was really sweet, and we started talking and became friends.  His story:

He use to live in New York City.  He was even on the show "Cash cab" and won 700 dollars!  While living in New York, he was a pianist at a lounge club, playing Broadway hits and the like...He had a committed relationship and loved being a New Yorker.

Then him and his partner split up...he eventually moved to Oklahoma City and was living with his sister, trying to figure out his life....I was so intrigued about his piano playing and I asked him if he plays anymore...he said its been almost 5 yrs since he has touched piano keys...hmmmm

One day, he needed a ride home, so I said I would take him...but instead of taking him to his sisters house, I took him to a store that sells pianos, violins, etc...this place had grand pianos set up...as we pulled in, he asked if he should stay in the car (I think he thought I was running a quick errand), I said no, come inside with me.  So he did.

When he saw all the grand pianos I could see his eyes light up...I asked him to play me some music..he sat down at one of the pianos, and placed his hands over the keys...and slowly, his fingers started playing, and it was so beautiful, I started crying...he played song after song, most of them while playing his eyes were closed.  After about 3 songs, I noticed customers stopping what they were doing to listen and watch him play,  one patron asked him if he could play a certain song, and he started playing that song, and it was perfect...then more people gathered and before long he had an audience of over 30 customers...the manager came out and loved his ability as a pianist.   

He played that piano for over an hour.  It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard....driving him home, he cried and cried,  over and over he thanked me for taking him there...he said he felt like such a failure and his life was worthless, until I took him to that music store....

This man has a beautiful talent,  I told him that, and I also told him that being a Pianist is his calling, not working at a homeless shelter...a week later, I saw him at the center again, he gave me a thank you card for my thoughtfulness and told me he would NEVER forget what I did for him.  He said I gave him a new lease on life, I showed him he was worthy and needed to give his talent back to the people...

That was the last time I saw him....I eventually heard that he went back to New York to pursue his love and profession.   I hope that if I ever get to New York that I see him playing in a lounge bar and living his best life....

I am not tooting my own horn here....I saw and felt in him a sadness and regret that was tearing him up inside, and I just wanted to show him that he was special and important.  I wanted to remind him of his talent...even after 5 years of never playing a piano,  that talent was still there, and he gathered an audience and made people smile and dance and sing along...It was a blessing for me!

As an empath, I can feel other peoples pain, sadness whatever...it is both a curse and a blessing.  Sometimes there is not a damn thing I can do or say to help anyone who is "hurting" but I still look for a way to "lift them up",  and then other times, I know exactly what they need and I will move the universe to encourage and help them.

All this to say:  don't just look at a person...look into their soul, listen to their words and stories, be observant to their environment,  look for something to actually lift them up and help them...thoughts and prayers do nothing to help anyone...it takes action, sacrifice and love,  to get your hands dirty...

This man, mentioned he played the piano in New York,  and that he has not played since and that he missed playing.  He did not have a car, so he really had no way to go anywhere, and he was newish to Oklahoma city.....I knew of Larson music store, it was near my home and when my daughter was young she played the piano, so I bought sheet music there and I knew there were grand pianos set up all over the store...so it made sense for me to take him there...it did not me a dime,  I surprised him, and being able to do something that was his passion and love was the greatest gift I have ever given anyone...

I think of him often, and it is my hope that he is playing his art in New York...I know I was instrumental in his move back to New York...he needed to be shown that he was still relevant and his talent was undeniable....it made a difference in his life...and I really did nothing...I just gave him the opportunity to reconnect to his love, his piano.

It takes virtually nothing to lift someone up, to show love, to not judge, and to bless someone..this is what I do,  I help behind the scenes...I don't want recognition and pats on the back...all I want is to see that person smile.  Or to help a person without tooting my own horn.  

I don't want the "keys to the city", I want to give those "keys" to everyone.

S