Power Of Sound

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In The Hills Near My Home
For awhile the lack of sound, day and night, day after day brought an immense tranquility to my life.  Brought on by the fear of what the virus could do in our lives, it changed all of us.  Even the birds seemed to be quiet.  No cars moved, the autostrada was vacant, it seemed unreal.  Many days there was no wind, no rain, and I looked out my window and saw no one walking, with the exception of those who had dogs.   It was a bad sci fi movie.

Now the people of Italy have been given a modified green light to move, but  with protection, and a stern warning to use distance when with others.  The economy is now back in business and we all hope that none of us will contract the disease and face the consequences of facing an end apart from our loved ones.

Today I saw a photo of a man holding a bass trombone, much like the one I own.  He looked happy, pleased like most trombone players.  (There is a difference of personality between instrumentalists.)  But for this man his normal existence was replaced with 37 days, unconscious, because he was on a machine that kept him breathing.  He was lucky and came out of it, now he has to strengthen his muscles in order to stand and later walk.   Because of the terrible health system in America there is a Go Fund Me page for him.  

Fear brought the lack of sound, a powerful symphony of quiet.   The tranquility that for months changed our lives.  We have had a pause in normality, and occasion to think about the future.  It feels different now to be alive.

I am grateful for the sacrifice people have made in order for our hospitals to have the time to gather what they need to help people survive.  This quiet time also allowed scientists to find answers to help everyone conquer this disease.  It gave some authorities a chance to show real leadership in getting supplies where they are needed.  Some authorities failed the test, ignoring the disease, or choosing money over lives.
  

We are all different now.  We continue to be full of hope.  There is a future, now not so quiet, is before us.  We know it will be different now, the future is not as clearly seen as before.  But we are alive.  

I am thankful for the many friends who have messaged and written me these past 3 months.  

Ciao, tutti!

Comments

Balam said…
Thanks Dave! great as always
May 20, 2020 at 8:55 AM
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