Notes

We’ve just chased another evening sunset west across the plains to Denver International Airport. After an unusually sound slumber (perhaps it’s the altitude) at the Denver branch of the Teufel clan, I am off to a new adventure. I am tracking down my remaining living uncle, a lifelong hero. The years have limited many aspects of his life but the sparkling blue eyes and magnetic sharp wit remain. Everyone knows and is fond of “Doc.” This morning I find him at “the center” deftly navigating and motoring in his scooter. (Like the TV ads) He says that the center gives out warnings and “speeding tickets” for those who forget safe sane speeds with their scooters. Out of respect, I don’t delve into just how he knows this. Many of the other folks at “the center” don’t share my uncle’s sparkle. Several heads are nodding and some even stay “down for the count.” I survey the room and it’s easy to verify long standing actuarial demographics. For a male, it’s like being in a hen house of 28 hens with only 5 other fellow roosters. Most of the folks require some sort of assistance in addition to their walkers and scooters. The staff seems quite accommodating and flow about seamlessly. Their cadence of practiced patience is amazing. There is a subtle light hearted banter between the staff and guests that displays an underlying mutual fondness.







He invites my wife and me to join him for a program that was just about to start. The room suddenly seems almost magnetically polarized. Everyone seems drawn to the far end of the room and the scooters all face that direction as if coordinated by an unseen force. The focus definitely is on a smiling lady setting up a keyboard and an assortment of musical equipment. Without much ado, familiar strains of music suddenly envelope the room. It’s amazing to witness the rejuvenation of folks as the notes permeate their slumbering spirits. It reminded me of watering a wilted plant and having it noticeably and rapidly “perk up.”






I am anemically deficient of any musical knowledge or instincts and don’t have a “musical bone” in my body. I can’t tell “good” music from “bad” and enjoy listening to all music. I especially enjoy watching how music affects folks. Today I am having a special treat. What a variety of music—most for people my age and older. Songs like Tom Jones’ “Delilah” and oldies from the Temptations, Elvis, and even back to “At Last” from Etta James. By the time “My Girl” resounded through the room every face was not only alert but smiling. Heads were bobbing, lips were syncing, and for some everything short of dancing on the table. I think we all could have savored these treats almost indefinitely. Unfortunately, another familiar refrain from the past resounds through the room; “M-I-C-K-E-Y Why, because… M-O-U-S-E; Mickey Mouse….” as a closing number. Slowly the faces wilt with a slight disappointment. I wish I could “plug another quarter” into the machine to bring everything back to life but it isn’t meant to be.


The lady who brought this joy vanished before I could speak to her. However, the atmosphere stayed elevated long after she and her keyboard disappeared. Those musical notes permeated each of us in a different way but I am sure that the 34 clients and each of the staff and visitors were undoubtedly touched. I know I was.






I wonder if the lady realized how the hour she’d invested reverberated through approximately fifty of our lives. She obviously wasn’t performing for accolades or she would have stayed to bask in our appreciation. As I chatted with several folks after she left, there was something different and more vibrant in their demeanor. Even though admittedly some returned to what visibly looked like a state of hibernation, there was no question that her musical notes had made a difference, even if they led to peaceful slumber. Even though this title and focus is on musical notes, that is just one possible medium to touch our world. A kind word, a quick email, a listening ear, an accepting smile, etc. What will you use from your personal arsenal today to brighten people’s lives?